Toxic Driveway Sealants
Posted by Joyce Benson 1 Comment
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In my previous post, I showed the top 5 ways to make a driveway, yes driveway, more environmentally friendly. Even our driveways can be more green! Now there’s evidence that sealing our driveways and other blacktops with coal tar sealants is toxic. These sealants not only contaminate our soil and drinking water supplies as rain water washes down them, but they raise the risk of cancer in living things exposed to it.
Two states, and many townships have already banned coal tar sealants, and many schools have opted for safer alternatives for their paved surfaces because studies show coal tar sealants contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, which are carcinogenic and mutagenic.
What you can do:
- Sign the petition here to get Congress to ban this toxic sealant.
- Avoid using sealants on your own driveway that contain: coal tar, refined coal tar, coal tar pitch or RT-12. If you must seal your driveway, use latex sealants or asphalt-based sealants.
- If you have your driveway sealed by professionals, make sure they are not using coal tar sealants. Consumer buying power will make a difference!
- If you are putting in a new driveway or replacing an old degraded one, check out these cool eco-friendly options.
Source: MontgomeryCounty.gov
photo courtesy of Rodale News
Tag(s): Cars and Transportation, Hazardous Products / Health Issues, The Great Green Outdoors
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Yes, I agree that toxic driveway coal tar sealants should be banned by the government to ensure the safety of the environment to protect all citizens from health hazards these materials present.