Siloam Springs playgrounds still closed

Ominous yellow caution ribbons flutter in the wind at two local playgrounds forcibly abandoned after school district officials received results from recent arsenic tests on Tuesday. Samples from pressure-treated wood taken from the Koala Community Playground at Northside Elementary School and the playground at Southside Elementary School came back from the laboratory positive for the toxic element.
By Jessica Weekley Staff Writer // jessicaw@nwanews.com
Of the Benton County Daily Record and posted on NWAnews

Of the four samples that were sent to the laboratory, results showed that three were positive for arsenic.

“ We’ve conducted some tests and received laboratory tests from the University of North Carolina–Ashville, and have confirmed the presence of arsenic in the wood, ” said Kent Raymick, Siloam Springs School District assistant superintendent. “ We simulated tests with someone brushing their hands on the wood’s surface and ingesting it, and results showed that there could be a possible amount of arsenic ingested. ”

The entire Koala playground and three of Southside’s structures contain the lumber that was treated with chromated copper arsenate, a substance that is no longer used, Raymick said.

According to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Web site, CCA had been used to pressure-treat lumber since the 1940 s. In the past 20 years, it was commonly used to treat outdoor structures. Use of CCA was discontinued in January 2004 through an agreement between wood manufacturers and the EPA.

Prior to its discontinuation, the compound was frequently injected into lumber during manufacturing as a protective pretreatment against structural rotting, insects and microbial agents.

Corresponding with the announcement to cordon off the play sites, cautionary tape and warning signs appeared at both locations. Until further notice and effective immediately, the structures have been closed for student and public use. The playgrounds will remain empty until a decision can be made about their imminent future.

Built in August 1998, the Koala Community Playground was erected by 2, 205 volunteers over a six-day time span. The collaboration was spearheaded by the Northside Adopt-A-School organization in cooperation with the Parks and Recreation Department, school officials, patrons and community members.

School officials and community leaders now must contend with the issue of what to do with the existing facilities that have been deemed potentially hazardous.

A variety of options are being considered, Raymick said, including coating the play structures with a protective plastic sealant. The possible removal of the equipment is also being studied.

A committee of parents, teachers, city and school leaders and other volunteers will be formed to research and debate the issue as soon as possible, he said.

The district is seeking estimates on the cost of applying a plastic sealant over the structures to prevent the leaching of arsenic from CCA-treated wood.

Raymick said the year-toyear picture must be looked at when deciding what will be done. According to the EPA, if the structures are coated with plastic sealant, they will have to be re-sealed every year. The district has been quoted $ 209 for 5 gallons of the sealant and expects contracted labor costs of more than $ 6, 000 for one coat of the sealant to be applied.

Raymick said the structure at Koala Park has been maintained by being sprayed with water-repellent stain in the past. Two 55-gallon drums were needed for the one-coat project completion.

Each year, more than $ 15, 000 in materials would be needed to secure the playground. Raymick said the school district lacks the manpower to complete the task, and likely the work, if not done by volunteers, would have to be undertaken by an outside contractor.

“ It is so important to look at this situation realistically, ” Raymick said. “ In just five years, we will have spent upward of $ 100, 000 in preserving the playground. ”

New structure designs and cost proposals are also being deliberated. A base amount of $ 100, 000 has been roughly estimated for a new Koala Park playground, Raymick said.

The new Allen Elementary School playground cost was $ 85, 000 when it was erected two years ago, and that price is being used as an estimate for a potential new playground at Koala Park.

“ There’s really no way to have a solid estimate right now, ” Raymick said. “ The new playground would be bigger with more features than the one at Allen, so $ 100, 000 is really just a jumping point. ”

At Tuesday’s city board meeting, directors will consider the school district’s request to allocate funds for the Koala Park playground.

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For a related story please see Arsenic Poisoning a concern on Australian playgrounds.
See also Arsenic Poisoning a concern.. The other side of the story.