Aug 11, 2011 2:34 PM
The use of highly toxic coal tar-based sealcoat will now be banned in Suffolk County after legislation was signed by County Executive Steve Levy on Monday, July 11.
The bill, which was sponsored by Presiding Officer William J. Lindsay and Sixth District County Legislator Sarah Anker, is aimed to prevent further exposure to the sealant that contains human carcinogen and chemicals that poisons homes and wetlands. According to the U.S. Geologic Survey, dust on sealcoated parking lots had more than 500 times the level of the carcinogen PAH than did dust on non-sealcoated parking lots. The dust in homes near sealcoated parking lots or driveways had levels of PAH more than 25 times higher than homes near non-sealcoated lots.
The ban won unanimous support from Long Island environmental groups such as the... more
The bill, which was sponsored by Presiding Officer William J. Lindsay and Sixth District County Legislator Sarah Anker, is aimed to prevent further exposure to the sealant that contains human carcinogen and chemicals that poisons homes and wetlands. According to the U.S. Geologic Survey, dust on sealcoated parking lots had more than 500 times the level of the carcinogen PAH than did dust on non-sealcoated parking lots. The dust in homes near sealcoated parking lots or driveways had levels of PAH more than 25 times higher than homes near non-sealcoated lots.
The ban won unanimous support from Long Island environmental groups such as the... more
