Concern grows over arsenic in playground wood

(CNN) -- A week of folly on some playground equipment can expose children to a lifetime's worth of arsenic, environmental activists say, and the advocates want the federal government to do something about it.

Arsenic is one of the components of CCA -- chromated copper arsenate -- a preservative commonly applied to the pressure-treated wood used to build playground equipment.

Some environmentalists worry the chemicals could leach into the soil, exposing children to dangerous levels of toxic substances. They want the government to ban CCA-treated wood for playground equipment.

VIDEO CNN's Mark Potter looks at CCA -treated wood and its potential health dangers (May 23) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

Industry groups and government agencies say the wood is safe. Nevertheless, the Environmental Protection Agency plans to conduct a new study of CCA-treated wood and an inquiry into its use on children's play equipment.

CNN's Mark Potter has details of the controversy.