Please join

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

Laura Fine
for an

Environmental
Update
Thursday, October 15
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Wilmette Community
Recreation Center
3000 Glenview Rd. Wilmette

Rep. Fine, Cook County

Commissioner Larry Suffredin
and the Sierra Club will welcome
Dr. Barbara Mahler from the U.S.
Geological Survey for a public
discussion on the environmental
impact of coal tar.

For more information, please contact Rep. Fines constituent service office at
847-998-1717 or repfine@gmail.com.
PRINTED IN-HOUSE.

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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10-7-15
CONTACT:

Janet Agnoletti, Executive Director - BACOG

847-381-7871 office
847-927-0542 cell
j.agnoletti@bacog.org

The Barrington Area Council of Governments (BACOG) and Citizens for Conservation (CFC) are pleased to announce a cosponsored presentation on coal tar pavement sealants to be given by Dr. Barbara J. Mahler, a research hydrologist with
the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Coal Tar-based Sealcoat: Implications for Human & Environmental Health

Presentation by USGS Research Hydrologist Dr. Barbara J. Mahler
~~~~~~~~
6:30 to 7:30 PM
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Barrington Village Hall, 2nd Floor
200 S. Hough Street, Barrington IL
Coal-tar based sealcoat, or sealant, is a black liquid that is applied to asphalt pavement by commercial applicators or
homeowners. It is marketed as protecting old paved surfaces and providing a glossy, restored appearance. Sealcoat can
be applied to residential driveways, tennis courts, playgrounds, commercial parking lots, housing complex roads, schools
and churches.
The problem is that coal tar contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Several PAHs are 1) probable human
carcinogens and 2) toxic to aquatic life. Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey have identified coal tar-based sealcoat as a
major source of PAH contamination. This is because coal tar does not stay on the coated pavement. Particles flake off
with car and foot traffic and can blow away or wash into ponds and streams with stormwater. Coal tar dust is tracked
into homes by people and pets, where the dust and PAHs can be inhaled, ingested and absorbed through the skin.
Dr. Barbara Mahler will discuss a decade of USGS research, which demonstrates that coal tar-sealed pavement is a
potent source of PAHs in the environment. Mahler is part of the Contaminant Trends in Lake Sediments (CTLS) team in
Austin Texas, which has identified nationwide trends in numerous contaminants, including lead, DDT and PAHs. Her
research has identified contaminant sources and processes, and the CTLS has quantified the importance of coal tarbased parking lot sealcoat as a source of PAHs at the national scale. Mahlers expertise uniquely qualifies her to discuss
these sealants and their potential impacts on human health and the environment with Barrington area residents.
The public is invited to attend the presentation. Parents may be interested to learn about the potential health risks,
especially in young children, of exposure to coal tar sealants. Municipal, township, school, park and other governmental
district officials and those with responsibility for maintaining paved surfaces are encouraged to attend to learn about
alternate sealant products.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Date: October 6, 2015
Contact: Terri Treacy, 618-521-1030

USGS Science on Coal-Tar-Based Sealcoat and Environmental and Human Health

Thursday, October 15, 2015, 2:30 PM
Benedictine University -- Kindlon Hall 164
5700 College Rd, Lisle, IL 60532
DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup and Center for Mission and Identity at Benedictine University are
pleased to announce a presentation on Coal-Tar-Based Sealcoat and Environmental and Human Health on
Thursday, October 15, 2015 at 2:30 PM by United States Geologic Survey Research Hydrologist Barbara
Mahler. The presentation will take place at Benedictine University, Kindlon Hall 164.
Coal-tar-based sealcoat is commonly used to protect and beautify the asphalt pavement of our driveways,
parking lots and playgrounds. Coal tar contains high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
that are known to be toxic, mutagenic and/or carcinogenic and can cause birth defects in humans. PAHs
can cause severe biological defects and damage the health of aquatic organisms. PAHs can contaminate
our stormwater and accumulate in sediments in urban lakes and detention basins.
Dr. Barbara Mahler will discuss a decade of USGS research, which has demonstrated that coal-tar-sealed
pavement is a potent source of PAHs to numerous environmental compartments, including soil, stream
and lake sediment, house dust, and air, and implications for environmental and human health.
The presentation is open to the public. County, municipal, township, and school district officials and staff;
anyone with responsibility for maintaining asphalt surfaces; and anyone with an interest in water quality,
human, or environmental health is invited to attend.
Please contact Terri Treacy at 618-521-1030 with any questions. Map of Bendetictine campus can be
found online at: http://www.ben.edu/about/location.cfm/ Kindlon Hall is #11 and the parking garage
where you can park is #19 on the map.

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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 10, 2015
Contact: Cindy Skrukrud: 312-251-1680 x110
Jim Bland: 847-774-2088

USGS Science on Coal-Tar-Based Sealcoat and Environmental and Human Health

Thursday, October 15, 2015, 11 AM
College of Lake County
Rooms 326/327/328, 3rd floor of Technology Wing (T Building)

19351 W Washington St, Grayslake, Illinois

Sierra Club Woods & Wetlands Group is pleased to announce a presentation on Coal-Tar-Based Sealcoat
and Environmental and Human Health on Thursday, October 15, 2015 at 11:00 AM by United States
Geologic Survey Research Hydrologist Barbara Mahler. The presentation will take place at College of
Lake County.
Coal-tar based sealcoat, or sealant, is a black liquid that is applied to asphalt pavement by commercial
applicators or homeowners. It is marketed as protecting old paved surfaces and providing a glossy,
restored appearance. Sealcoat can be applied to residential driveways, tennis courts, playgrounds,
commercial parking lots, housing complex roads, schools and churches.
The problem is that coal tar contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Several PAHs are 1)
probable human carcinogens and 2) toxic to aquatic life. Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey have
identified coal tar-based sealcoat as a major source of PAH contamination. This is because coal tar does
not stay on the coated pavement. Particles flake off with car and foot traffic and can blow away or wash
into ponds and streams with stormwater. Coal tar dust is tracked into homes by people and pets, where the
dust and PAHs can be inhaled, ingested and absorbed through the skin.
Dr. Barbara Mahler will discuss a decade of USGS research, which has demonstrated that coal-tar-sealed
pavement is a potent source of PAHs to soil, stream and lake sediment, house dust, and air, and
implications for environmental and human health.
The public is invited to attend the presentation. Parents may be interested to learn about the
potential health risks, especially in young children, of exposure to coal tar sealants. Municipal,
township, school, park and other governmental district officials and those with responsibility for
maintaining paved surfaces are encouraged to attend to learn about alternate sealant products.
The presentation will be held on the 3rd floor in combined classrooms 326/327/328 in the Technology
Wing (T Building). Enter off the sidewalk on the north side of the building or through the main entrance.
Parking is in Northwest Parking Lot 2. Seating is limited to 50 persons.
(MORE)

Please contact Jim Bland at 847-774-2088 or Cindy Skrukrud at 312-251-1680 x110 or

cindy.skrukrud@sierraclub.org with any questions.
Campus map attached.

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COUNTY of McHENRY
McHENRY COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER
2200 NORTH SEMINARY AVENUE
WOODSTOCK, IL 60098-2637

PRESS RELEASE
October 1, 2015
Contact: Dennis Sandquist, Director of Planning and Development

USGS Science on Coal-Tar-Based Sealcoat and Environmental and Human Health

Thursday, October 15, 2015, 8:00 AM
McHenry County Government Center, Conference Room C
667 Ware Road, Woodstock, IL 60098
The Department of Planning and Development - Water Resources Division is pleased to
announce that United States Geologic Survey Research Hydrologist Barbara Mahler will be
giving a presentation on Coal-Tar-Based Sealcoat and Environmental and Human Health on
Thursday, October 15, 2015 at 8:00 AM.
Coal-tar-based sealcoat is used to protect and beautify the asphalt pavement of driveways
and parking lots primarily in the eastern U.S. and in Canada. Coal-tar sealcoat typically is
20 to 35 percent crude coal tar or coal-tar pitch and contains from 50,000 to 100,000
mg/kg polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), about 1,000 times more than asphaltbased sealcoat or asphalt itself. Dr. Barbara Mahler will discuss a decade of USGS
research, which has demonstrated that coal-tar-sealed pavement is a potent source of
PAHs to numerous environmental compartments, including soil, stream and lake
sediment, house dust, and air, and implications for environmental and human health.
The presentation is open to the public. County, municipal, township, and school district officials
and staff; anyone with responsibility for maintaining asphalt surfaces; and anyone with an
interest in water quality, human, or environmental health are invited to attend. Seating is limited
to 50 persons.
Please contact Dennis Sandquist at (815) 334-4548 or DASandquist@co.mchenry.i.us with any
questions.