Coal tar asphalt sealant is now off limits in some parts of Maryland
Coal tar asphalt sealant is facing numerous bans across the nation. The first ban on coal tar sealant was approved in Austin, Texas, and since then, many states and counties have implemented similar bans. There is currently a federal district ban against its sale and use in Washington, D.C. In the state of Maryland, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties were the first to approve of the ban. In November of 2015, Anne Arundel County also passed the ban making the sale and use of coal tar pavement sealers illegal. This means that currently over 40% of Maryland is now coal tar sealant free.
What Is Coal Tar Asphalt Sealant?
Coal tar asphalt sealant is a coal tar based sealcoat. It is marketed and used to seal and protect pavement surfaces from the harming effects of inclement weather, oxidation, and chemicals. It would prolong the overall life of paved surfaces. Coal tar sealant is still commonly used in most of the country for a number of diverse commercial applications. These applications include business parks, parking lots, driveways, airport runways, recreational trails, and more. Coal tar sealant is a thick brown or black liquid that is a byproduct of the carbonization of coal for the steel industry and has been commonly used for all of the above purposes for decades.
Why Has Coal Tar Asphalt Sealant Been Banned Across The Country?
Recent studies by the U.S. Geological Survey have shown that coal tar sealant is a major source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination in several major urban areas throughout the United States. This contaminations occurs via stormwater runoff and other sources. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon can cause cancer in humans and is highly toxic to aquatic life. The ban will minimize the effects toxic stormwater runoff will have to human health, aquatic life, and the environment. Until recently, this chemical was leeching into urban lakes and waterways unchecked.
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