State of Minnesota Asks Schools to Stop Coal Tar Sealant Use

This illustrates part of the problem at schools where PAHs can be absorbed through skin.

In a letter sent to school superintendents and charter schools across the State of Minnesota, the head of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), Commissioner John Linc Stine, encouraged the leaders of schools to phase out the use of coal tar containing pavement products.  This is the broadest, furthest reaching action of its kind to date in the US.

Illinois Community Passes State's First Outright Coal Tar Sealer Ban

While he might not be showing it in this statue, I am sure the spirit of Lincoln is pleased with the first ban of coal tar by a unit of government in his home state.  Several communities in Illinois have government use restrictions, but to my knowledge, the Village of South Barrington (population about 3,700) is the first to ban it for all of its residents as well.

South Barrington was home to Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears and is listed as one of the top 100 most affluent communities in the nation.  I worked engineering and construction in South Barrington over 20 years ago and fell in love with the steaks at the Millrose Brewing Company.

Minneapolis, City of Lakes, Now 2nd Largest US City with Coal Tar Sealant Ban

Standing on the shoulders of 21 Minnesota communities and key legislators and researchers, the City of Minneapolis today passed a ban of coal tar pavement sealants.  With a population near 400,000, this sends a clear message to the coal tar sealcoating industry: stop polluting the 10,000 lakes of Minnesota.

“The Mississippi River and our beautiful lakes not only keep our residents healthy and our economy strong — they make us the city we are, and we must do everything we can do keep them clean,” said Mayor R.T. Rybak. “The action we’ve taken today is simply common sense.”

Coal Tar Sealer Problem Has Gone Mainstream, Reader's Digest Shows

This month's issue of Reader's Digest (July/August 2012) demonstrates that coal tar sealant pollution has gone mainstream.  With the largest circulation of any general interest magazine at over 5 million subscribers, this issue's article, Toxic Danger Zones in Your Backyard, is sure to have a positive ripple effect.

The article gives a concise summary of the problem: familiar coal tar driveway sealants could be polluting your backyard and/or home with toxic PAHs.  Readers are encouraged to use less toxic asphalt-based sealants instead and take precautionary measures to minimize dragging sealer dust and debris into your home.

Maryland's Declining Oyster Population Affected by Roadway Runoff

In a report released just last month, researchers from Morgan State University and Saint Mary's College of Maryland found that roadway runoff negatively affects the early development and reproduction of oysters.

The oyster population is in peril in Maryland with only 0.3% of its 19th century population remaining. 1  This is due to a variety of factors including water pollution from numerous sources.  The desire to save this species is so great that the State of Maryland is encouraging private dock owners to assist in the re-population of oysters by attaching juvenile to their docks to increase survival.