Driveways next on green hit list?
April 9, 2009 by Tom GuayPosted in: Latest News & Views, Waste & Pollution
The green revolution seems ready to attack business and home owners right where it hurts: their driveways and parking lots.
Reason: Researchers at the University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center (UNHSC) have confirmed that pavement sealers are a major source of toxic stormwater runoff. They’ve measured significant spikes of polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) runoff in stormwater. The PAH compounds, which are suspected cancer causers, come from diesel and crude oil.
The research team tested coal tar-based and asphalt-based sealcoats used on a parking lot. They found excessive levels of PAH runoff from both treated sections of the parking lot. PAH concentrations in the first flush of the stormwater runoff hit 5,000 parts per billion (ppb) from both sealcoat applications. By comparison, PAH concentration from untreated areas on the parking lot measured only 10 ppb.
Opportunity: Reformulate these popular coatings to reduce or remove contaminants. Otherwise, the environmental correct solution will be simple: Don’t use any treatments on a parking lot or driveway.
Click here for the press release on the UNHSC findings.
Tags: driveway, green revolution, PAH, parking lot, stormwater
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