Asphalt coated with coal tar may increase the risk of cancer.
Highest potential threat is on children. Coal tar – a byproduct of
steel production – is a common material used to coat asphalt.
“It can make the asphalt look like new. Usually most often used for the parking lot,” said study researcher, Barbara Mahler, a hydrologist from the U.S. Geological Survey in Austin, Texas, as reported by Health (3/4).
The problem, he adds, is that the shiny black coating is a concentrated source of cancer-causing chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
“When the tires rubbes against the pad, the process break down small particles like dust,” says Mahler.
This dust can be carried over to the house after sticking on the shoes and hands. Previous studies have found high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in dust were found in the house.
For the latest study, published recently in the Environmental Science & Technology journal, researchers compared the PAH in house dust with a 23-story apartment in Austin. About half of the apartments who participated in this study were near the parking lot that used coal tar coating on the asphalt.
The results showed that those who live near asphalt coated with coal tar are 38 times more at risk of cancer. Most of these risks arise in childhood. The study found that 50 percent of the cancer risk caused by coal tar in asphalt was obtained in the first six years of life. Approximately 80 percent of the risk of cancer also occurs in a person under the age of 18 years.
This is because children have different habits from adults. They spend more time near the ground, and they frequently put anything into their mouth, such as their hands or toys.
Fortunately, there are alternatives to replace the coal tar with something safer that are made with emulsion asphalt. Type of tar is often used in Western countries.
READ MORE
“It can make the asphalt look like new. Usually most often used for the parking lot,” said study researcher, Barbara Mahler, a hydrologist from the U.S. Geological Survey in Austin, Texas, as reported by Health (3/4).
The problem, he adds, is that the shiny black coating is a concentrated source of cancer-causing chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
“When the tires rubbes against the pad, the process break down small particles like dust,” says Mahler.
This dust can be carried over to the house after sticking on the shoes and hands. Previous studies have found high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in dust were found in the house.
For the latest study, published recently in the Environmental Science & Technology journal, researchers compared the PAH in house dust with a 23-story apartment in Austin. About half of the apartments who participated in this study were near the parking lot that used coal tar coating on the asphalt.
The results showed that those who live near asphalt coated with coal tar are 38 times more at risk of cancer. Most of these risks arise in childhood. The study found that 50 percent of the cancer risk caused by coal tar in asphalt was obtained in the first six years of life. Approximately 80 percent of the risk of cancer also occurs in a person under the age of 18 years.
This is because children have different habits from adults. They spend more time near the ground, and they frequently put anything into their mouth, such as their hands or toys.
Fortunately, there are alternatives to replace the coal tar with something safer that are made with emulsion asphalt. Type of tar is often used in Western countries.
READ MORE
No comments:
Post a Comment