News Release: Elevated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Noted in the Des Plaines River Watershed

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Des Plaines River Watershed Workgroup
Des Plaines River

Elevated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Noted in the Des Plaines River Watershed

The Des Plaines River Watershed Workgroup (DRWW) is a volunteer organization that brings together diverse stakeholders who have a vested interest to improve water quality in the Des Plaines River watershed. The DRWW performs annual water quality monitoring within the Des Plaines River watershed in Lake County, and they have detected elevated concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) within the sediments of the Des Plaines River and its urban tributaries.

PAHs are a class of chemicals commonly found in coal-tar sealants used to protect and enhance the appearance of the underlying asphalt of driveways, parking lots and playgrounds. Stormwater runoff carries these chemicals into waterways, which causes detrimental effects to human and aquatic life (USGS Coal-Tar-Based Pavement Sealcoat—Potential Concerns for Human Health and Aquatic Life, 2016). Additionally, as a coal-tar-based sealcoat ages, it wears into small particles that can be tracked into homes and mix with house dust.

PAHs are a major concern for public health because they have also been known to cause skin irritation and inflammation in humans and animals. They are also classified as a carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“If PAH levels continue to rise, they will have a significant impact on the Des Plaines River Watershed,” said Michael Adam, Deputy Director of Environmental Health for the Lake County Health Department and DRWW Lakes Committee Chair. “Coal-tar sealants can be toxic to fish and other aquatic life, causing damage to their DNA and even death.

In response to the increasing PAH concentrations in the Des Plaines River Watershed and concerns about the health of residents, communities are passing coal-tar-sealant bans. In Lake County, Highland Park, Deerfield, North Barrington, Third Lake and Vernon Hills have passed such bans. The Lake County Board’s adopted Legislative Agenda for Fiscal Year 2020 supports state legislation that bans the use and sale of toxic pavement sealants.

In addition to enacting community bans, there is broad support among local governments for state legislation that bans the use and sale of toxic pavement sealants in support of safer, effective alternatives, like asphalt sealants, which have fewer toxic chemicals. On average, PAH concentrations in asphalt-based sealants are 1,000 times lower than in coal-tar sealant.

“Progress is being made to protect our environment and our watershed,” said Adam. “A number of stores now sell asphalt-based sealants instead of coal-tar sealants, but we still have a long way to go in ensuring coal-tar isn’t used. Commercial application providers still routinely use coal-tar products. Community bans will help protect our communities and environment from toxic PAHs.”

The DRWW encourages community leaders to adopt a coal-tar-sealant ban and asks homeowners to consider choosing contractors that only use asphalt-based sealants on driveways, parking lots and playgrounds.