POMFRET — State Representative Pat Boyd (D- Brooklyn, Eastford, Pomfret, Union, Woodstock) has introduced a bill prohibiting the use of coal tar sealants on state highways. 

The bill, HB 5884, will help protect the environment and public health by limiting human and wildlife exposure to coal tar sealant.

“This has been an issue discussed greatly in the Town of Pomfret since the summer and after talking with residents of the Longmeadow Farm Estates and the first selectman it became clear to me that the state needs to take the lead on banning coal tar on our roadways,” Rep. Boyd said. “We have the support of the Department of Public Health so I am hopeful that we can get this law passed this session so no other community in Connecticut will have to go through this.”

A public hearing on this bill will be held Feb. 3.

Already two states, Washington and Minnesota have banned coal tar sealants and dozens of other cities and counties in Illinois, Texas, New York, Maryland have also restricted use.

According to surveys conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, “coal-tar-based sealcoat—the black, viscous liquid sprayed or painted on asphalt pavement—is a major source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in urban areas for large parts of the Nation. Several PAHs are suspected human carcinogens and are toxic to aquatic life.”