Protect Illinois Communities from Toxic Pavement Sealants
Support Statewide Ban/Support Local Ordinances
HB2958 Sponsor: Rep. Fine
Pollution from coal tar and other pavement sealants
containing high levels of polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a major problem in the
Midwest. Communities should act now to stop using
high PAH sealants on government properties and
adopt ordinances to protect their citizens from its
application anywhere in the community. The state
legislature should pass a ban at the state level that
allows cities and counties to adopt ordinances to
enforce the ban. Ingestion, inhalation, and absorption through skin
These actions will help prevent dust from coal tar, a
known human carcinogen, from being tracked into our
homes. It will protect aquatic organisms in Illinois
waterways from sealant runoff containing high levels
of dangerous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
What Is Coal Tar?
Coal tar, produced when coal is subjected to
high temperatures, contains high levels of
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Sealants containing coal tar are used to coat
driveways, parking lots and playgrounds. 85
million tons of coal-tar-based sealcoat are
used annually in the U.S.
Historically, coal tar sealants have been used in
the eastern and central U.S. while asphalt
sealants have been used in the west.
Pouring seal coating on a driveway. PAHs than water from an unsealed lot2.
photo: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter Contact Cindy Skrukrud 312.251.1680 x110 Cindy.Skrukrud@sierraclub.org
Why Ban Coal Tar & Other
High PAH Sealants?
Sealants containing High Levels of
PAHs are a Threat to Human Health
PAH compounds are known to be toxic, mutagenic
and/or carcinogenic and can cause birth defects.
contact are all potential routes for exposure to
PAHs.
According to a study by the USGS, someone living
next to coal-tar-sealed pavement has a risk of
cancer that is 38 times higher than the urban
background exposure1.
A study by USGS in Lake in the Hills, about 50
miles northwest of Chicago, showed levels of
benzo(a)pyrene in dust from coal tar-covered
driveways that were up to 5,300 times higher than
the level that triggers an EPA Superfund cleanup at
polluted industrial sites2,3.
A 2016 American Medical Association policy calls
for legislation either to ban the use of pavement
sealcoats containing PAHs or to mandate the use of
sealcoat products with minimal PAH4.
PAHs in Coal Tar are Toxic to
Aquatic Species
PAHs can cause severe biological defects and
damage the health of aquatic organisms.
PAHs can contaminate our stormwater and
sediments in urban lakes and detention basins.
Recent studies by the USGS and the Milwaukee
Metropolitan Sewerage District shows coal tar-
based sealants are the main source (42-94%) of
toxic PAH pollution in Milwaukees streams.5
Water running off a parking lot coated with coal
tar-based sealcoat had 30 times more

Damage from Coal Tar and Other High
PAH Sealants Cost Taxpayers Money
PAH-contaminated sediment causes increased
costs and problems associated with stormwater
management. Estimates for removing PAH
contamination from all basins in Inver Grove
Heights, a suburb of St. Paul, pop. 34,000, range
from $1.5 to $4.0 million.6
Effective Alternatives
Are Already in Place
PAH levels in the alternative asphalt-based
sealants are 1000 times lower than in coal tar
sealant.
PAH concentrations in dust from parking lots in
central and eastern U.S. cities, where coal-tar-
based sealcoat is commonly used, are up to
3000 times higher than in the western U.S.,
where asphalt-based sealcoat is more
commonly used.
Using permeable pavement to construct
parking lots can eradicate the need for
sealants, and reduce flooding and improve
water quality by promoting infiltration of
stormwater.
A number of stores, including Ace, Home Depot,
Lowes and Menards, no longer sell coal tar
sealants but sell asphalt-based sealants.
3.2.17
Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter Contact Cindy Skrukrud 312.251.1680 x110 Cindy.Skrukrud@sierraclub.org
Coal Tar Sealant Phase-out
As of 2017, communities representing over 20
million people have voted to pass bans on coal
tar sealants. Citizens and leaders in these areas
have stood up to protect their communities.
In 2006 the first ban was implemented in Austin,
Texas.
Washington was the first state to initiate a statewide
ban in 2011.
Minnesota has 29 local bans, and a statewide ban
went into effect in 2014.
South Barrington banned coal tar sealant use in
2012.
City of Winnetka ban went in effect in 2014.
City of Highland Park adopted ban in 2017.
Village of Wilmette adopted ban in 2017.
In Illinois, other communities are moving away
from coal tar sealants
Government-use restrictions have been adopted by
the counties of DuPage and McHenry, as well as by
a number of municipalities.
Members of the DuPage River Salt Creek
Workgroup have developed and signed a
memorandum of understanding to not purchase or
use coal tar-based sealants.
7
RESOURCES
USGS Science on Coal-Tar-Based Sealcoat and
Environmental and Human Health, by Dr. Barbara
Mahler, Hydrologist. Video presentation:
http://www.viddler.com//v/b63b7a27
USGS 2016 Factsheet (http://bit.ly/1YHftkU)
Model Resolution & Pledge:
Barrington Area Council of Governments
(http://bit.ly/21lBqIL) Six villages and two townships
signed this 2016 resolution to not purchase or use coal
tar or other high PAH sealants (sealant products that
contain greater than 0.1% PAHs by weight.)
Model Pledge (http://bit.ly/1PTDr9P)
1
http://www.usgs.gov/blogs/features/usgs_top_story/youre-standing-on-it-health-
risks-of-coal-tar-pavement-sealcoat/
2
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-03-28/news/ct-met-coal-tar-industry-
pushback-20130328_1_coal-tar-asphalt-based-sealants-pavement-coatings-
technology-council
3
Van Metre, P.C., and Mahler, B.J. Contribution of PAHs from coal-tar pavement
sealcoat and other sources to 40 U.S. lakes: Science Total Environ. 2010
4 https://www.ama-assn.org/ama-urges-legislation-ban-dangerous-coal-tar-sealcoats
5 https://www.usgs.gov/news/coal-tar-sealant-a-major-source-pah-contamination-
milwaukee-streams
6
http://fyi.uwex.edu/shwec/2013/03/08/mn-community-saddled-with-pah-
dredging-costs/
7
http://www.drscw.org/nonpoint.html