CHED 1097 |
| The objective of this research was to determine the extent of heavy metal contamination from CCA-treated wood in the Wheeling area. To accomplish this goal, the following study was made. Samples of soil were collected from beneath and in the immediate surrounding area of pressure-treated wooden decks belonging to five Wheeling Jesuit University faculty members. The samples were digested in an acid solution and filtered to remove solid residue. Since arsenic is a carcinogen, it was the major focus of this investigation. The filtrated was analyzed for arsenic using a Varian 55B Atomic Absorption. Data from five sets of soil samples indicate that the levels of arsenic in soil near decks made from pressure treated wood are higher that the normal background levels of arsenic in soil. The concentration of arsenic was highest in soil closest to the deck posts and decreases with from distance from the deck. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Environmental Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |