“We Are the First, We Won’t Be the Last,” Ban Officially Passes Washington Legislature!
From the Washington Environmental Council: First in nation ban on toxic coal tar sealants passes WA state legislature Sealants contain high levels of toxic substances, posing threat to public health OLYMPIA – Today, the Washington State Legislature enacted a first-in-the-nation ban on toxic coal tar sealants, a substance responsible for significant stormwater pollution and toxic […]
With Impressive Bi-Partisan Support, Washington State Ban Passes Senate; First State Ban Close!
This evening the State of Washington’s Senate passed SB 1721 (36 Y, 12 N) which will ban coal pavement sealants for use throughout the State. This will require concurrence with the House of Representatives, but it a similar bill has passed both the House and the Senate. The United States’ first statewide ban of coal […]
Great New Resource for Coal Tar Info
Every now again a community comes along to assemble the disparate sources of information about coal tar sealants in one place. It serves the purpose to assist their respective communities in decision making and is a communication tool if any legislative action is taken. The City of Austin, TX did this early on in their […]
Wicked Wetland Regs Limit Coal Tar Sealants
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts joins the growing list of governmental bodies that have enacted some legislation regarding the application of coal tar pavement sealants. In general, it requires new development affecting wetlands must certify that any future pavement maintenance activity exclude the use of coal tar sealants. This action recognizes the negative impacts of PAHs […]
New PAH Bad Actor: Benzo[c]fluorene
In a recent blog post, we discussed the proposed changes to the potency of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixtures, including coal tar sealants. There are 18 new PAH chemicals being recognized for their toxicity in addition to the previous 6. One of those new chemicals is benzo[c]fluorene, which is also known as benzofluorene or 7H-benzo[c]fluorene. […]
EPA: PAH’s & Coal Tar Nastier Than Previously Thought
Maybe the EPA’s historic perspective on coal tar sealants is changing. Based upon new research from the EPA which has been reviewed by an independent team of scientists, the cancer causing potency of coal tar sealants may be going up–a lot! How much? Over 800% higher! Basically the report seeks to update our understanding of […]
Coal Tar = “Dangerous Waste” Says WAC
The State of Washington Senate is currently considering a coal tar sealant ban. In February the ban passed the House of Representatives. Did you know that the main ingredient, coal tar is currently on a list of “dangerous wastes” under Washington State law? About a dozen of coal tar’s PAH constituents are already on the […]
Another State with a Municipal Coal Tar Sealant Ban
As of January 1, 2011 the City of Winfield, Kansas joined the growing list of communities across the US that have passed coal tar sealant bans. We welcome and recognize this community for its vision and willingness to act on what the research has shown: coal tar sealants are a nationwide water quality and a potential human […]
“Bans Won’t Affect Business in Long-Term” says MN Sealant CEO
Often it is said that alternative products are inferior and that the ban of coal tar sealants will hurt small business. Not exactly says the CEO of Jet-Black Sealant, Nick Kelso. “There are pros and cons to both,” Kelso said. “We don’t think (the bans) will affect business in the long-term.” This recent article in […]
Major Step Toward a Coal Tar Free Washington!
News tonight that the State of Washington is one step closer to passing the nation’s first statewide ban of coal tar sealants! Earlier today HB1721 passed the House of Representatives and will now move on to the Senate. A copy of the bill can be found at the following link: HB 1721. It prohibits the […]