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USGS Research: PAHs and Coal-Tar-Based Pavement Sealcoat

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By Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center April 30, 2018

Coal-tar-based pavement sealant is a potent source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as documented by the USGS and other researchers.

Coal-tar-based sealcoat products typically are 20 to 35% coal tar or coal-tar pitch—these materials are known human carcinogens that contain high concentrations of PAHs and related chemicals. Coal-tar-based pavement sealcoat typically contains 35,000 to 200,000 mg/kg (parts per million, or ppm) PAHs, about 100 times more PAHs than in used motor oil and about 1,000 times more PAHs than in sealcoat products with an asphalt base.

Coal-tar sealcoat is abraded to a fine dust by car tires and snow plows, requiring reapplication every 2–5 years. The mobile high-PAH dust is blown, washed, or tracked into nearby soil, stormwater ponds, streams, lakes, and house dust. Many of the lighter-weight chemicals in coal-tar sealcoat volatilize (evaporate) into the air, primarily during the 2 weeks following application, but continuing for years after application.

Coal-tar-based pavement sealant is a potent source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as documented by the USGS and other researchers.

Coal-tar-based sealcoat products typically are 20 to 35% coal tar or coal-tar pitch—these materials are known human carcinogens that contain high concentrations of PAHs and related chemicals. Coal-tar-based pavement sealcoat typically contains 35,000 to 200,000 mg/kg (parts per million, or ppm) PAHs, about 100 times more PAHs than in used motor oil and about 1,000 times more PAHs than in sealcoat products with an asphalt base.

Coal-tar sealcoat is abraded to a fine dust by car tires and snow plows, requiring reapplication every 2–5 years. The mobile high-PAH dust is blown, washed, or tracked into nearby soil, stormwater ponds, streams, lakes, and house dust. Many of the lighter-weight chemicals in coal-tar sealcoat volatilize (evaporate) into the air, primarily during the 2 weeks following application, but continuing for years after application.

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