Health Risks of Coal Tar Driveway Sealers – PAHs 101
Coal tar sealants and asphalt emulsions are thick, black protective substances for coating asphalt parking lots, playgrounds, and driveways. While they help seal and preserve such surfaces, they also contain various chemicals that, when released into the environment, may cause health and ecological issues. Fortunately, homeowners have BioSEALSAFE™ as a safer option to resurface driveways. Learn what makes BioSEALSAFE™ a superior alternative.
Understanding Coal Tar Sealer, Asphalt Emulsion, and PAHs
Resealing a driveway periodically not only helps to protect pavement but also gives surfaces a shiny, newly finished look. However, coal tar driveway sealer and asphalt emulsion contain potentially lethal compounds called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are also present in cigarette smoke, gasoline, incinerators, and factory emissions. The main issue with coal tar driveway sealer and asphalt emulsion is that they deteriorate, cracking and flaking over time to produce dust-like particles containing PAHs and that spread to the soil, the air, and water supplies.
PAH-laden particles can find their way into stormwater, and adhere to shoes and vehicle tires. People unknowingly track PAHs into their homes, and houses close to recently treated driveways and pavements often have a higher PAH concentration in the air. As PAH particles spread, they increase the risk that animals and people will inhale or ingest them. However, there are alternatives that are safer for your family and the planet.
Traditional Asphalt Driveway Sealers vs. BioSEALSAFE™
In the past, coal tar sealer vs. asphalt emulsion was the standard driveway resurfacing choice to make. Now, homeowners have an alternative option: BioSEALSAFE™. Conventional asphalt sealers for residential driveways consist of chemicals that break down into microparticles that transfer to your shoes, clothes, and skin, or those of your children and pets. This PAH-laden dust then makes its way into your home or, through runoff, affects your drinking water and garden or food supply for eventual ingestion.
If you’re looking for the best asphalt sealer for a driveway, BioSEALSAFE™ is a safer product for you and your family. It’s a soy-based, easy-to-apply asphalt driveway sealer free from detectable PAHs and lasting, noxious odors. Also, from an aesthetics perspective, traditional sealers for driveways quickly turn grey, whereas the BioSEALSAFE™ asphalt and concrete driveway sealer retains its jet-black coloring for a longer period.
What Makes BioSEALSAFE™ the Best Driveway Sealer Option for Your Home?
Using BioSEALSAFE™ for your driveway offers numerous benefits, many of which give you peace of mind. The BioSEALSAFE™ coating is:
- A low-odor, PAH-free formula
- A renewable, soy-based sealant
- Safer for your loved ones and pets
- Easy to apply with a roller, squeegee, or sprayer
- Dry to the touch in only two hours
- Lasting, staying jet-black for longer than other asphalt sealants
- Made in the USA
- A USDA-certified biobased product
Contact Our Experts for More Information on Driveway Resurfacers
As environmental groups continue to deal with PAH contamination in water bodies across the country, consumers can help by avoiding PAH-based sealants and choosing environmentally friendlier alternatives. BioSEALSAFE™ driveway sealer from Aexcel Corporation is a more eco-friendly substitute than coal tar emulsion driveway sealer as it uses a PAH-free formula that protects both your driveway and your family. Contact us today to learn more about the BioSEALSAFE™ difference.