Coal Tar-Based Sealants
Local Information
In November 2009, the Springfield-Greene County Environmental Advisory Board presented City Council with a letter regarding the board’s concerns about the use of coal tar-based pavement sealants. The issue was referred to the City Council Community Involvement Committee for further consideration.
- Environmental Advisory Board Letter (PDF)
- City Letter to Local Sealant Businesses and Responses (PDF)
Presentations to City Council
- December 16, 2009 - Todd Wagner, City of Springfield Principal Stormwater Engineer (PDF)
- January 15, 2010 - Tom Ennis, City of Austin, Tx (PDF)
- February 24, 2010 - Pavement Coatings Technology Council (PDF)
- August 3, 2010 - Dr. Barbara Mahler and Dr. Peter Van Metre, USGS (PDF)
Local Study
The City contracted with the Ozarks Environmental and Water Resources Institute at Missouri State University to conduct a study of PAH concentrations and sources in local waterways. The Final Report (pdf) was completed in October 2012.
Information & Other Studies
In an effort to provide unbiased, scientific information, we have only listed links to publications by government agencies and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Some journal articles are available as abstracts only but the full articles can be accessed at the Missouri State University library.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services PAH Fact Sheet (PDF)
- National Toxicology Program Report on Carcinogens - PAHs (PDF)
Effects of PAHs on Aquatic Life
- Nonadditive Effects of PAHs on Early Vertebrate Development: Mechanisms and Implications for Risk Assessment (Toxicological Sciences, 2008)
- Perspective on Ecotoxicology of PAHs to Fish (Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: an International Journal, 2007)
- Evaluation of Fish Early Life-Stage Toxicity Models of Chronic Embryonic Exposures to Complex Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Mixtures (Toxicological Sciences, 2004)
- EPA Ecological Toxicity Information on PAHs
Studies on the Environmental & Human Health Impacts of Pavement Sealants
The first 2 publications provide good summaries of the research to date.
- Coal-Tar-Based Pavement Sealcoat and PAHs: Implications for the Environment, Human Health, and Stormwater Management (PDF) (Environmental Science & Technology, Jan 2012)
- USGS Fact Sheet - Summary of USGS Research (PDF). This fact sheet and links to many of the studies below can also be found on the USGS website.
- PAH volatilization following application of coal-tar-based pavement sealant (PDF) (Atmospheric Environment, 2012)
- Volatilization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from coal-tar-sealed pavement (PDF) (Chemosphere, 2012)
- Coal-tar pavement sealants might substantially increase children’s PAH exposures (Environmental Pollution, 2012)
- Assessment of Water Quality of Runoff from Sealed Asphalt Surfaces (PDF) (USEPA, Sept 2011)
- Contribution of PAHs from Coal-Tar Pavement Sealcoat and Other Sources to 40 U.S. Lakes (PDF) (Science of the Total Environment, 2010)
- Contamination of Stormwater Pond Sediments by Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Minnesota (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, March 2010)
- Influence of Coal-Tar Sealcoat and Other Carbonaceous Materials on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Loading in an Urban Watershed (Environmental Science & Technology, 2010)
- Coal-Tar-Based Parking Lot Sealcoat: An Unrecognized Source of PAH to Settled House Dust (Environmental Science & Technology, 2010)
- Concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Urban Stormwater, Madison, Wisconsin, 2005-08 (USGS, 2009)
- PAHs Underfoot: Contaminated Dust from Coal-Tar Sealcoated Pavement is Widespread in the United States (Environmental Science & Technology, 2009)
- Occurence of PAHs Below Coal-Tar-Sealed Parking Lots and Effects on Stream Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities (Journal of the North American Benthological Society, 2007)
- Parking Lot Sealcoat: A Major Source of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Urban and Suburban Environments (PDF) (United States Geological Survey, 2006)
- The Effects of Coal Tar Based Pavement Sealer on Amphibian Development and Metamorphosis (Ecotoxicology, 2006)
- Parking Lot Sealcoat: An Unrecognized Source of Urban Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Environmental Science & Technology, 2005)
- Response to Comment on “Parking Lot Sealcoat: An Unrecognized Source of Urban Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons” (Environmental Science & Technology, 2006)
Other Links
Other Community / State Experience
As of Sept 2012, there are bans in 29 cities/counties in Texas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York, Illinois, and Maryland as well as Washington, D.C., and the State of Washington.
- Austin, TX Coal-Tar Sealant Ban
- Dane County, WI Coal-Tar Sealant Ban
- Washington, D.C. Coal-Tar Sealant Ban
- State of Minnesota Coal-Tar Sealant Legislation
- Centerville, MN Coal-Tar Sealant Ban
- White Bear Lake, MN Coal-Tar Sealant Ban
- Circle Pines, MN Coal-Tar Sealant Ban
- Suffolk County, NY
Alternative Products
- City of Austin, TX Alternative Products List
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Fact Sheet (PDF)