Cancerous House Dust Across America Linked to Pavement Sealcoats
February 8, 2010 Kyriaki (Sandy) Venetis 
Coal-tar-based sealcoat being applied. Photo by Peter Van Metre.
While growing up, we all have memories of being told to wipe our feet before coming in. Well now with a new study, published by Environmental Science and Technology, about what we may be tracking in, it might be more important than ever to follow that advice.
Coal-tar-based sealcoal - the black, shiny substance sprayed or painted on many parking lots, driveways, and playgrounds - has been linked to elevated concentrations of the contaminants polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in house dust.
Houses and apartments next to areas treated with this type of sealcoat contained house dust with much higher concentrations of PAHs than those next to areas treated with other types sealcoats, according to the study.
Asphalt-based sealcoat being applied. Photo by Guardtop.In contrast, “asphalt-based products have concentrations on PAHs that are 1,000 times less than are in coal-tar-based products,” said Dr. Barbara Mahler, one of the authors of the study and a research hydrologist with the water resources division of the U.S. Geological Survey.
The reason for concern is that “PAHs are highly potent carcinogens than can produce tumors in some organism at even a single dose. Mammals can absorb PAHs by inhalation, dermal contact or (more poorly) ingestion,” according to information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“Fish exposed to PAH contamination have exhibited fin erosion, liver abnormalities, cataracts, and immune system impairments leading to increased susceptibility to disease,” adds the agency.
