In a strange twist, Assemblymember Wieckowski (D) is refusing to allow the California coal tar sealant ban to be heard in committee. Unfortunately Wieckowski is the Chair of the Assembly Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials Committee and is blocking its hearing. He doesn’t think coal tar is a problem in California.
Since the Assemblymember won’t take emails from outside of his district and his voicemail box is full, I thought it might be appropriate to express my thoughts here.
Assemblymember Wieckowski, please allow the hearing on AB 1704, the Coal Tar Sealant Ban to be heard in committee for the following reasons.
Existing laws have been ineffective to stop blatant deception by contractors spreading toxic, mutagenic material across the State of California. In spite of studies showing the toxic and carcinogenic effects of coal tar sealants, contractors in California continue to deceive the public by advertising this substance as “environmentally-friendly” and “non-toxic.” Consumer Alert: Contractor Deception on the Rise
Not a big enough problem in California? One third of water bodies tested by the USGS exceeded the biological threshold effects level and have nearly 50% of the chemical sourcing FROM coal tar pavement sealants. Coal Tar Sealant Dominates PAH Pollution Across the US
Also 25% of California, polled contractors prefer to use coal tar sealants and it only takes ONE parking lot, driveway or playground to expose children to cancer risks similar to second hand smoke. It doesn’t require an entire community to be covered in this material to be a risk. Poll of Nearly 1000 Applicators
This chemical has been shown to correlate to many childhood ailments include attention deficit, depression, lower IQ, and asthma. Prenatal Pollutant Exposure Adversely Affects Child Behavior
This also is an environmental justice issue. The poor minorities of our communities must get protein where they can and that often is in polluted lakes and streams. In one community, over 2/3 of the fish had tumors caused by this chemical! High Rate of Fish Tumors Found
This isn’t just another chemical that is detectable, but it is one that enters our environment at THOUSANDS of times higher than effects concentrations. One of the primary United States Geological Survey (USGS) researchers on this subject called the concentrations “EXCEPTIONAL” in comparison to other toxins in our environment. Coal Tar Sealcoat a Major Source of PAHs and to Air and Children Living Nearby
That is why this is the FIRST time in my career that I have spoken out against a product. I have read the reports and contributed to some of them. This is a material that the USEPA deemed highly toxic. Myth of “Refined” Coal Tar Sealant
The USEPA report in October of 2011 said that the most effective way to deal with coal tar sealant pollution may be to BAN it. EPA Runoff Study Says Bans May Be Best Way to Control Coal Tar Sealant Pollution
Please do the RIGHT thing and let this exceptional pollution problem be addressed.
Thomas Ennis, PE, LEED AP
Coal Tar Free America
For those of you who support this ban, please continue to call his office at: (916) 319-2020. Perhaps his voicemail box will be available to take your call.