Children who play on arsenic-treated wooden playground equipment increase their risk of developing lung or bladder cancer later in life, according to a report released by officials with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The chairman of the CPSC told health officials that for every million children exposed to chromated copper arsenate (CCA), an arsenic compound used on almost all wood playground equipment, two to 100 of them may develop lung or bladder cancer later in life. CCA, which preserves lumber against termites, fungus and erosion, has been used for more than 70 years.

As part of their study, CPSC researchers focused on how much arsenic is released from wood and the amount of time a child usually spends with the equipment. As a safety measure, the researchers recommend that parents wash their children's hands with soap and water immediately after they play on treated wood. Children should also not eat while on the equipment.

The safety agency plans to hold a public meeting in March to discuss a proposed ban of the substance. In an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last year, wood companies agreed to stop manufacturing lumber with CCA by December 2003.