Fish killed in
Hodges Creek due to Coal Tar Sealant
Coal Tar Sealant
Warning
In light of recent
events where the runoff of a coal tar based pavement sealant used on the Boone BB&T
parking lot caused the death of wildlife in Hodges Creek (for a span of a mile and
a half), the Town of Seven Devils wishes to advise residents of the potential harm
in using this type of sealant. Coal tar asphalt sealant is water soluble and
acutely toxic. This type of coal tar would be listed as a ‘hazardous waste,’ but
it was given a federal exemption. The coal tar contains benzo[a]pyreme, which
is a dangerous chemical that made EPA’s list of 12 priority “persistent
bioaccumulative toxins”. Coal tar based asphalt sealants are a triple threat.
You can inhale it, ingest it, and absorb it through your skin. It has even been
found to come off on basketballs and your shoes. Due to the toxic nature of
coal tar sealants, the Town of Seven Devils strongly urges its citizen’s to
research products proposed for sealing asphalt before use.
For more
information on this please see the USGS website link below.