Driveway Seal Coat Issues

Post date: Aug 11, 2016 8:00:21 PM

Some types of seal coats for asphalt driveways and parking lots contain Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons or PAH's that have been shown to increase the incidence of cancer. One of these types of seal coat contains a PAH called Coal Tar, a byproduct of burning coal. Coal Tar is found to be easily airborne, washed into local streams and also tracked into adjacent houses. All of the local big box stores have removed sealers containing coal tar, but some professionals are still using the products. Ask for the contents of the seal coat your contractor is using before exposing your family to this risk. For more information from the US Geological Survey see the Coal Tar Pamphlet.