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Learn about hazards of coal tar sealants

The Barrington Area Council of Governments and Citizens for Conservation are co-sponsoring a presentation on the environmental hazards of coal tar pavement sealants, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Barrington village hall, 200 S. Hough St., Barrington.

Barbara J. Mahler, a research hydrologist with the United States Geological Survey, will discuss a decade of USGS research, which demonstrates that coal tar-sealed pavement is a potent source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, some of which are probable human carcinogens and toxic to aquatic life.

Coal tar-based sealcoat, or sealant, is a black liquid that is applied to asphalt pavement by commercial applicators or homeowners. Sealcoat can be applied to residential driveways, tennis courts, playgrounds, commercial parking lots, housing complex roads, schools and churches.

Mahler is part of the Contaminant Trends in Lake Sediments (CTLS) team in Austin, Texas, which has identified nationwide trends in numerous contaminants, including lead, DDT and PAHs.

The public is invited to attend the presentation. Parents may be interested to learn about the potential health risks, especially in young children, of exposure to coal tar sealants. Municipal, township, school, park and other governmental district officials and those with responsibility for maintaining paved surfaces are encouraged to attend to learn about alternate sealant products.

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