Compiled from various published data by Dr Harry Greaves, Wood Products Consultant.
1. CSIRO web site www.ffp.csiro.au/wft/wpc/ccafact1.html
No uptake in grapes tomatoes and cucumbers. Slight uptake by carrots and beets but As in safe organic form and can be removed by peeling. Potatoes stored for up to 7 months in CCA-treated timber boxes showed no As contamination.
2. Alamgir F et al. (2001) Arsenic availability from CCA treated lumber and uptake by plants. University of Minnesota.
| Soil, sampled 0-25 mm from CCA-treated timber edging | 40-50 ppm As |
| Carrots, peeled | 0.035 ppm As |
| Carrots, unpeeled | 0.068 ppm As |
| Spinach | 0.057 ppm As |
| Beans | 0.039 ppm As |
| Bean stems and leaves | 1.5 ppm As |
| Buckwheat | 0.144 ppm As |
3. Levi M.P. et al.(1974) Uptake by grape plants of preservatives from pressure-treated posts not detected. Forest Products Journal 24 (9), 97-98.
| Grapes, either fruit or leaves | <0.05 ppm As |
| Grape leaves and stems | 6.9 ppm Cu |
| Grape fruit | 7.23 ppm Cu |
4. Hickson Corporation Technical Report (1992) Raised garden beds.
| Carrots | 2.2 ppm As |
| Okra | <0.8 ppm As |
| Peppers | 0.5 ppm As |
| Cucumber | <0.9 ppm As |
| Tomatoes | 0.5 ppm As |
5. Spier T.W. et al. (1992) Assessment of the feasibility of using CCA-treated and boric acid-treated sawdust as soils amendments. Plant and Soil, 142, 235-248.
| Growing in soil amended with CCA-treated sawdust | 66 ppm As |
| Lettuce | 7 ppm As |
| Beetroot bulb | 6 ppm As |
6. Grant C. and J. Dobbs (1977) The growth and metal content of plants grown in soil contaminated by a CCA wood preservative. Environmental Pollution 14, 213-225.
| Growing in soil watered with CCA solution | 270 ppm As |
| Dwarf beans | 0.3 ppm As |
| Carrots | 1.9 ppm As |
| Tomatoes | 0.2 ppm As |
7. Cooper P.A. et al. (1995) Plant uptake of CCA components from contaminated soil. IRG/WP 95-50043.
| Soil contaminated with CCA preservative leached from poles | 18-80 ppm As |
| Lettuce whole plant | <4 ppm As |
| Radish whole plant | 9-11 ppm As |
| Lettuce leaves | <4 ppm As |
Some relevant permissible As levels allowed by various jurisdictions:
| UK permissible As levels in arable soils | 50 ppm |
| Denmark EPA permissible As levels for arable soils | 20 ppm |
| NSW EPA permissible As levels for urban redevelopment | 20 ppm |
| NSW EPA permissible As levels for residential use, including gardens | 100 ppm |
| US Public Health limit for As in fruit, crops, vegetables, etc. | 2.6 ppm |
| WHO tolerable weekly intake of As per kg body weight | 15µg |
Dr. Harry Greaves
Principal, HG Consulting
5/9/03