Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I am a science research student in high school.
I am thinking of doing a research project on the effects of wood equipment on the levels of arsenic in the sand found below the playground structures.
CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) is a wood preserver that was used several years ago (it is now restricted). I have read articles that state children who have come in contact with and touched the CCA - treated wood have had traces of arsenic on their hands.
I think that maybe the arsenic can be transferred from the wood to the sand beneath the equipment.
However, I dont know how I can test the arsenic levels in the sand. I know that I could send a sample to a lab to have it analyzed, but this costs around $30 a sample and to perform this experiment, i would need to test multiple samples.
Is there someone who would not mind analyzing several samples of sand for me? Without charge?
Also, what equipment is used to run this type of test?
If you know of someone who would not mind running a few samples for me (without charge!), please let me know how to contact them.

Thank you,
JanetM

Hello Janet, here is an article from Environmental Health Perspectives that might be of interest to you. http://www.ehponline.org/members/2004/7197/7197.html

Michael

I am studying the effect of Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA)- treated wood on the arsenic levels found in the soil beneath the playground equipment. Has this relationship been established before? If so, by whom? Also, is there a test kit available that can test if the playground equipment is treated with CCA?

Thank you.

Hi,

Although this paper is not studying ground around playground equipment it looks relevant because it looked at contamination close to wood poles set in the ground:

http://jeq.scijournals.org/cgi/content/full/32/2/507

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/quick_ ... -30-03.pdf

http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2005/113- ... dence.html

A test kit is discussed on this site.http:

http://www.safe2play.org/FAQ.html

I think you can find considerably more by doing a google search.

Is this answer responsive to your question?

Best regards,

Barrett Tomlinson

Hello Janet, here is an article from Environmental Health Perspectives that might be of interest to you. http://www.ehponline.org/members/2004/7197/7197.html

Michael

Hello,
What equipment is needed to analyze levels of arsenic in wood samples?
Do I need a plasma-mass spectrometer, or a gas chromatograph?
Do I need both?

Also, what is an effectiv way to collect samples to reduce contamination?

Thank you for your time.

Hi,

Here is a link to an international patent that describes a colorimetric method for assaying arsenic in wood which requires no expensive equipment, and which claims to be reasonably safe to use:

http://v3.espacenet.com/publicationDeta ... B=&locale=

This document is about 35 pages in length, and the explicit directions are located at least half way into it.

I hope this helps you. This sounds like an important project, which could be really fun for someone seriously interested in chemistry. I wish you every success with it!!

Due to the nature of the chemicals involved, I strongly urge you to work with a qualified adult mentor if you pursue this project.

Best wishes for a great project!

Barrett Tomlinson

Does anyone know if an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer can analyze sawdust samples from wood? Do the wood shavings have to be dissolved in something?

To to take a wipe sample from the treated wood, do I need a special kind of cloth?

thanks.
Janet

Janet-normally, the analytical lab handles prepping solid samples for analysis. You collection of the sample has to be in clean container. A wipe sample can be used on wood-again, make sure your wipe is clean to start with, and wear gloves when handling. Make sure to keep the wipe samples separate from each other. Also, you should have a template that you wipe within, so your samples can be fairly compared to one another. (no fair if one wipe covers 2 square feet, and one covers 2 square inches!)
Hope this helps

Hello.
For my project I need a plasma-mass spectrometer. Does anyone know of a college that would let me use their mass spec? I also need some of my sawdust samples digested in acid to be able to be analyzed by the mass spec. Does anyone know of a place, preferably a college, that could do this for me?

Thanks.

Janet-Does your school advisor have any contacts at a local college? Maybe he/she can help you find a college lab that will let you do your experiment there. Also, you could try contacting commercial labs, and seeing if they are willing to help you.
You can do a web search for "environmental laboratories" in your area to find one.

I am now considering using a colorimeter to analyze my samples. To use it I have to react something with arsenic. Does anyone know of some compound or substance that I can react with arsenic to produce colored ions that can be detected by the colorimeter?

Hi Janet,

I have found a few web sites to help you.

Here are a couple sites about using a test kit and colorimetry:
http://www.wwdmag.com/Arsenic-Testing-t ... rticle2804
http://www.epa.gov/etv/pubs/600s07005.pdf

This is a journal article about a chemical stain used to detect arsenic in wood:
http://pdfserve.informaworld.com/970481 ... 447788.pdf

I hope this helps!

Cheers,
Heather