Tar Heel Town Tackles Toxic Sealant
In July 2010, Boone, North Carolina was affected by a fish kill from fresh, washed-off sealant applied before a rain storm. Nearly 100 fish were killed from this event (the industry claims only 12). The Upper Watauga Riverkeepers mobilized, produced a video, and asked local officials to ban the material. Unfortunately, the Town’s lawyers were uncertain of the rights of […]
CliffsNotes Version of USGS Research Now Available
Illustration from New USGS Publication Over the last few years, the research into the problem of coal tar sealants has covered a variety of specific areas including the wash off, wear off, parking lot dust, household dust, biological effects and lake cores. All of these studies have increased our understanding of the sealants and […]
CTS Out in the State of Washington?
Yesterday was a public hearing for the potential ban of coal tar pavement sealants in the entire State of Washington. The legislation was sponsored by Representative David Frockt of Seattle. If successful, it would be the nation’s first state to ban this product! The State of Minnesota introduced similar legislation on this topic last year […]
Your Driveway vs. Nation’s Dirtiest River
One of the Nation’s Dirtiest Rivers in Brooklyn Hey it’s Super Bowl week, so why not some friendly competition? Your coal tar sealed driveway vs. the Nation’s dirtiest river. Which one is worse? Why compare these two? Because the chemicals with the greatest concentration and concern at the Gowanus River are PAHs, (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) […]
Just How Toxic Are Coal Tar Sealants?
We continue to hear some say that coal tar sealants have the toxic ingredients refined out (generally polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAH). This in spite of the laboratory levels of showing extremely high concentrations. A few years ago, I came across this research that got little attention when presented back in 1997. It pre-dates any of […]
Chicago Tribune: What if CTS is on My Driveway?!
Link to Chicago Tribune ArticleThe author provides some good starting points for people to understand their options, but I want to make some clarifications. Regarding the field test for the presence of coal tar sealant, please follow the recommended safety precautions listed on this blog (link to field test). This is toxic stuff and it […]
Poll of over 1000 Sealant Applicators: Which Sealant Do You Prefer?
MicroPoll I thought you might enjoy looking at an online poll of sealant applicators on what products they prefer. As of this writing, it is 60% coal tar and 40% asphalt. If you go to the individual states, then click and hover your cursor above it, you can see a state by state breakdown. While […]
Chicago Tribune on CTS: Toxic goop; It might be coating your driveway and tracked into your home
High levels of a toxic chemical in coal tar have been found in the fast-growing McHenry County village of Lake in the Hills. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) Good solid article from the Tribune in the heart of coal tar sealant country. Congrats Michael. It is a complex subject and succinctly put comparison of well-known contamination sites […]
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 […]
Field Test for Coal Tar Sealant Determination
Funny that this simple test has been the source of a lot of consternation, much of which will have to wait for a more thorough re-telling. Suffice it to say, that my colleague, who will want to remain anonymous, and I knew the importance of finding a repeatable field test. We found out about the […]