Thanks Ypsilanti, Huron River Watershed Now 40% Coal-tar Free
Earlier this week the City of Ypsilanti, Michigan finalized a ban of coal tar pavement sealers. It is especially appreciated for a community in the midst of urgent matters pressing upon them. As symbolic as this action may appear, it stems the tide of unnecessary distribution of about 20,000 gallons toxic contaminants into the city […]
“On My Honor”… Scouts Lead Community to Ban Coal Tar Sealers
First ban of coal tar sealers in Western Michigan Coal tar sealer bans typically result from the interest or drive by a local environmental organization or spearheaded by a particularly interested politician. But a ban brought forward by a bunch of Cub Scouts, that is a first! Cub Scout Den 7 presented their case for […]
Ann Arbor Tackles “No Brainer” Coal Tar Sealer Problem
Largest Community in US to Take on High PAH Sealers Too Ann Arbor, Michigan, well-known as the location of University of Michigan, passed a ban of coal tar pavement sealers tonight along with high PAH sealers. Over a year in the making, the City held their ground against industry lobbying and attempts to discredit scientific […]
The Bad, The Good, and The Really Good of Coal Tar Sealers in MI
The following is a newsletter article from the Huron River Watershed Council who have admirably taken up this effort to ban coal tar sealers and other high-PAH products from communities. The Huron River is just west of Detroit and includes the City of Ann Arbor. People often ask how to get these products regulated in […]
Western Michigan Communities Stop Coal Tar Sealer Use
Western Michigan has recently seen an uptick in activity to curb the use of coal tar sealers. In the last two months Whitehall Township, the City of Whitehall, Fruitland Township and Laketon Township have, by resolution, decided to no longer use the sealers at a governmental level and to encourage their residents to do the […]
Third Installment of MPCA Coal Tar Sealant Webinars: This Week with a Focus on Local Efforts
Parents and students decorate a coal-tar-free parking lot in Grand Rapids, MI. While many may debate whether the old adage that “all politics is local” is true or not, one cannot argue with the influence that everyday citizens and local decision-makers can have in their own communities with coal tar sealant use and pollution. I […]
Positive Progress Reported at 2nd Great Lakes Coal Tar Sealant Reduction Webinar
Recently the State of Minnesota hosted the second of three webinars which reviewed sealant studies in Ontario, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan and efforts made in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan to reduce sealant use. Here are some of the notable highlights: consistent findings of the PAH levels and watershed contributions from coal tar sealants by independent […]
Michigan Moves to Ban Coal Tar Sealants…Again
For the second time in the last 3 years, the State of Michigan has begun the process to ban coal tar sealers from use in the entire state. This would be the second state to pass such a ban. The State of Washington passed the nation’s first statewide ban in 2011. The ban in Michigan […]
Michigan School Wrestles with Coal Tar Sealants
While this video is an advertisement for a particular asphalt product, it does show the struggle that many thinking schools will face in the future. Is it a smart thing to put coal tar sealant down on a school playground? Aren’t the most sensitive members of our communities our children? Are there any good alternatives that perform […]