Coal tar bill headed 

to gov. for signing

State Representative Pat Boyd (D-50) applauds the Senate passage of a bill he championed that would prohibit the use of coal tar sealants on state and local highways. The bill will now be signed into law by the governor.

“I am proud that the state is taking a leadership role in banning this product,” Rep. Boyd said. “Numerous studies have determined that coal tar sealants are considered human carcinogens and hazardous to the people, the environment, and animals. Implementation of this bill will help guarantee that we limit the amount of this hazardous material we expose to ourselves and surrounding wildlife.”

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) showed that toxic and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are released from coal tar sealed roads as a result of weathering and vehicular damage to the roads. Coal tar contains a high concentration of PAHs, which effect people, animals and the environment. 

Coal tar based sealants are currently banned in two states and the District of Columbia as well as over two dozen other municipalities and cities across the country.