Studies: Health risk from toxic pavement sealant greater than previously believed

[Emily]

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Studies: Health risk from toxic pavement sealant greater than previously believed
By Robert McClure
InvestigateWest

When you think of pollution, you might picture an industrial center like Camden, N.J., or Jersey City. But new research shows that when it comes to a potent class of cancer-causing toxic chemicals, many American parking lots are a lot worse.

New studies paint an increasingly alarming picture ? particularly for young children ? about how these chemicals are being spread across big swaths of American cities and suburbs by what may seem an unlikely source ? a type of asphalt sealer. These sealants are derived from an industrial waste, coal tar.

Four new studies (links are at the end of this article) announced this week further implicate coal tar-based asphalt sealants as likely health risks. The creosote-like material typically is sprayed onto parking lots and driveways in an effort to preserve the asphalt. It also gives the pavement a dark black coloring that many people find attractive.
Coal tar is a byproduct of the steelmaking industry. In 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency declared that it would not be classified as a hazardous waste...

Links to studies:
Environmental Science and Technology
Chemosphere
Atmospheric Environment
Environmental Pollution

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a Democratic congressman from the Austin area, previously filed legislation calling for a nationwide ban on coal tar sealants. He plans to refile the legislation, but is currently embroiled in a redistricting fight.