Gateway on Pesticide Hazards and Safe Pest Management

Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA)

General Information

• Fact Sheet: factsheets/cca.pdf
• Chemical Class: Inorganic arsenical wood preservative
• Uses: Wood preservative
• Alternatives: Wood preservative
• Beyond Pesticides rating: Toxic

Health and Environmental Effects

• Cancer: Yes (7)
• Endocrine Disruption: Not documented
• Reproductive Effects: Yes (7)
• Neurotoxicity: Yes (7)
• Kidney/Liver Damage: Yes (7)
• Sensitizer/ Irritant: Yes (7)
• Birth/Developmental Yes (7)
• Detected in Groundwater: Not documented
• Potential Leacher: Yes (7)
• Toxic to Birds: Yes (7)
• Toxic to Fish/Aquatic Organisms: Yes (7)
• Toxic to Bees: Not documented

Additional Information

• Regulatory Status:
  • Residential uses cancelled 2004
  • EPA Revised Risk Assessment for CCA (4/2008)
  • Beyond Pesticides comments on revised risk assessment (6/2008)
  • Beyond Pesticides' comments before FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel (2001)
• Supporting information:
  • Wood Preservatives Campaign (Beyond Pesticides)
  • Daily News Blog entries (Beyond Pesticides)
  • NCAP CCA Factsheet (Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides)
  • PAN Pesticides Database:Chromated Arsenicals (Pesticide Action Network)