Samples were taken from CCA-treated timber in sand play boxes and other play ground equipment. Sand was also sampled. Sand and wood samples were analysed for copper, chrome and arsenic by AAS. About 20-25% of the arsenic had leached from the timber after 2-4 year's exposure in the playgrounds. Very little of the copper and chrome had been leached. Sand collected in the close vicinity of the treated timber contained at maximum 12.9 mg and on average 4-6 mg As/kg. Natural soils may contain from 1 to 40 mg As/kg. There is little risk for children to be poisoned by eating the As-contaminated playground send, since this would require consumption of at least 10-30 kg sand on a single occasion.

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