For decades, wooden playground equipment and decking was made from pressure-treated lumber treated with a termite and rot-proofing chemical called chromated copper arsenate (CCA). The chromium used is the same kind that polluted the water system and sickened so many people in the reality-based movie “Erin Brockovich.” The arsenic used is similar to that in rat poison. “This wood is so toxic that when burned, a tablespoon of ash is potent enough to kill a cow.” (David Johnston & Kim Master. Green Remodeling, 2004, New Society Publishers)

It is imperative that if you have this CCA treated decking or playground equipment at home or at your local park that you replace it.

There are plenty of good alternatives:

Use recycled-content composite decking materials that can be used just like lumber. It uses recycled plastic together with wood pulp from mills.

If using solid wood, use Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified woods, and purchase naturally decay-resistant woods.

If you live in a damp, termite-ridden climate, and treating the wood is absolutely necessary, then use alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) which is made of 100 percent recycled copper, or use borates for treatment. It is very important to choose the right borate pesticide for intended purposes.

You can also choose play sets made of steel, and recycled plastic (made from old milk jugs) like the ones replacing old playground equipment in public parks.

Instead of a wood deck, build a patio of stone or brick.