PAHs and coal tar—old contaminants with emerging concerns

Presented by Barbara Mahler - Research Hydrologist, United States Geological Survey - at the 2017 Emerging Contaminants in the Aquatic Environment Conference.

Sealcoat is the black, viscous liquid sprayed or painted on many asphalt parking lots, driveways, and playgrounds to protect and enhance the appearance of the underlying asphalt. Dr. Mahler will discuss results of studies by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), academic institutions, and state and local agencies that have identified coal-tar-based pavement sealcoat as a major source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination and a potential concern for human health and aquatic life.