Cancerous House Dust Across America Linked to Pavement Sealcoats

Coal-tar-based sealcoat being applied. Photo by Peter Van Metre.

We all have memories as children of being told to wipe our feet before coming in. Well, it might be more important than ever to follow that advice with a new study about what we may be tracking in.

Coal-tar-based sealcoal - that black, shiny stuff sprayed or painted on many parking lots, driveways, and playgrounds - has been linked to elevated concentrations of the contaminants polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in house dust.

Houses and apartments next to areas treated with this type of sealcoat contained dust with much higher concentrations of PAHs than those next to areas treated with other types sealcoats, according to the new study published by Environmental Science and Technology.

Asphalt-based sealcoat being applied. Photo by Guardtop.In contrast, “asphalt-based products have concentrations of PAHs that are 1,000 times less than what are in coal-tar-based products,” said Dr. Barbara Mahler, one of the authors of the study and a research hydrologist with the water resources division of the U.S. Geological Survey.

The concern is that “PAHs are highly potent carcinogens than can produce tumors in some organism at even a single dose. Mammals can absorb PAHs by inhalation, dermal contact or ingestion,” according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Fish exposed to PAH contamination have exhibited fin erosion, liver abnormalities, cataracts, and immune system impairments leading to increased susceptibility to disease,” adds the agency.

Working to assess water quality across the nation, “what caught our attention was there was one group of contaminants that was increasing, and that was the PAHs, which were primarily increasing in urban lakes in the U.S.,” said Mahler.

She went on to say that, “What we also found was that the PAH concentrations in the dust on these parking lots were extremely high, much higher than we had seen from any other PAH sources, including things like motor oil.”

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EPA Launches Grants Initiative to Clean Up Brownfields Across the Country

A Lawrence, Mass. Brownfield transformed into the Dr. Nina Scarito Park.

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the availability of an estimated $111.9 million in grants to help communities clean up polluted sites known as Brownfields.

The grants include $74.6 million from the EPA Brownfields general funding program, and $37.3 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Communities in 46 states, four tribes, and two U.S. Territories will share in these grants to help revitalize former industrial and commercial sites.

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U.S. Renewable Energy Council Joins With China In Launching Online Business Platform

Photo courtesy of ACORE.

WASHIGNTON, D.C. - The American Council On Renewable Energy has launched a website to help U.S. companies connect with Chinese companies and institutions that are working to expand and finance renewable energy development projects in China.

“China has made clear its commitment to advance renewable and clean energy solutions for meeting its vast and growing energy needs,” said ACORE President Michael Eckhart, adding that, “this has tremendous business implications for U.S. companies who are financing or building renewable energy products and services.”

The site provides English language news updates on activities in Solar, Wind, and RE Policy. In addition, the site provides information on other initiatives underway across China, including information on regulations for doing business in China, downloadable market analyses and reports, and contact information on key industry and government decision makers.

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Preserve Teams with the Health Food Industry Offering New Option for Eco-Friendly Consumers

Photo courtesy of Preserve.

WALTHAM, Mass.- Most municipal recycling center throughout the country reject what are know as #5 polypropylene plastics - such as yogurt and other dairy containers - which then end up in landfills due to their low rate of recyclability.

In an effort to curb this mounting waste, Preserve, a producer of 100 percent recycled household products, has partnered with Stonyfield Farm, Organic Valley, and Whole Foods Market in launching the Preserve Gimme 5 recycling program.

“This program will save thousands of pounds of #5 plastics from being sent to landfills. We are thrilled to join this program and to empower our customers to increase their recycling efforts,” said Jeremiah McElwee, senior Whole Body coordinator for Whole Foods Market.

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Working to Reduce Toxic Waste in Landfills, New York Passes Its First Plastic Bag Recycling Legislation

A NYS landfill. Provided by the Concerned Citizens of Cattaraugus County, Inc

ALBANY — Statewide plastic bag recycling legislation has just been signed by New York State Governor David A. Patterson. The legislation was co-sponsored by Assemblyman Robert K. Sweeney (A. 11725) and State Senator Carl L. Marcellino (S. 8643-A).

The introductory clause of this legislation states that “Each year an estimated 500 billion to one trillion plastic bags are used worldwide…and of which billions of bags end up as litter each year.

Most plastic carryout bags do not biodegrade which means that the bags break down into smaller and smaller toxic bits that contaminate the soil and waterways, and enter into the food web when animals accidentally ingest those materials.

It is the intent of this legislation to encourage the use of reusable bags by consumers and retailers, and to encourage the reduced consumption of single-use bags.” This legislation will go into effect on January 1, 2009.

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