TarMan Chronicles: First 10 Years Coal Tar Free

First of all Happy Birthday Austin, Texas which today, 10 years ago, passed the nation’s first ban of coal tar pavement sealers.

To mark that occasion, here is a 2 minute cartoon-video which tries to summarize the highlights of what has happened in that 10 years. My apologies to some if I have not highlighted your research, writing or bans, but a lot had to be left on the cutting room floor including efforts I’ve been involved with personally.

It has been a good 10 years and I’m glad that 18 million Americans are currently under a ban. In the future I suspect knowledge of coal tar sealer pollution will move from the groundbreaking to the commonplace in our communities. And that will be a welcome day. Until then there is a lot of work to be done.

Why a cartoon?

A few years ago, someone challenged me to do a cartoon about coal tar sealers using PowToons. If you knew me you’d know that is not necessarily my go to medium if you know what I mean. But with a high degree of trust in that someone, here you go.