Buffalo Grove moving toward ban on some driveway sealants

Buffalo Grove trustees soon could vote on an ordinance banning the use of coal tar-based sealants on residential and commercial driveways, as well as parking lots and bike paths.

To help put some teeth into a ban, the village also would create a license for vendors who apply driveway sealants, Village Manager Dane Bragg said.

At Monday's village board committee-of-the-whole meeting, Village Engineer Darren Monico said coal tar sealants have raised environmental concerns as a possible contaminant and carcinogen. They first were banned in Austin, Texas, and have since been outlawed in three states and several North and Northwest suburbs, including Vernon Hills, South Barrington, Deerfield, Wilmette and Evanston.

Monico said the Environmental Protection Agency found that coal tar sealants have 1,000 times more polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons than asphalt-based sealers. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been linked to various cancers, as well as cardiovascular disease and poor fetal development.

Buffalo Grove last used coal tar sealants in its parking lots and bike paths in 2018, said Monico, adding that there is no significant difference in cost or performance between coal tar- and asphalt-based sealants.

"After reading what the EPA says about this product, I think we would be foolish to continue to allow people to use it," Trustee Joanne Johnson said.

Trustee Eric Smith said he favored the ban and a related village educational campaign but also suggested the license for vendors.

The village does not require a permit for driveway sealing.

Trustees did not set a date for when they might vote on the proposal. Their next village board meeting is Oct. 19.