Chemical Legislation in North Carolina

An Act to Address Arsenic-Treated Wood in the Classroom and on School Grounds 

In 2006, North Carolina enacted a law providing that local boards of education must prohibit the purchase or acceptance of chromate copper arsenate-treated wood for future use on school grounds. Local boards of education were also required to seal existing arsenic-treated wood in playground equipment or establish a time line for removing existing arsenic-treated wood on playgrounds, and were encouraged to test the soil on school grounds for contamination caused by the leaching of arsenic-treated wood.

An Act to Address Mercury in the Classroom and on School Grounds 

In 2006, North Carolina enacted a law providing that local boards of education must prohibit the future use of bulk elemental mercury, chemical mercury compounds, and bulk mercury compounds used as teaching aids in science classrooms. The act also encouraged local boards of education to remove and properly dispose of all bulk elemental mercury, chemical mercury, and bulk mercury compounds used as teaching aids in science classrooms. Barometers are exempt. 

Environmental Law Amendments 

In 2010, North Carolina enacted a law prohibiting the use of pavement markings in state, municipal, and public streets and highways that are made from paint that has been mixed, in whole or in part, with reflective glass beads containing more than 75 ppm inorganic arsenic, as determined by U.S. EPA Method 6010B in conjunction with U.S. EPA Method 3052 (modified). This law applies to any contracts for road projects entered into, or any pavement remarking that takes place, on or after October 1, 2010.