Coal tar-based pavement products, including sealcoats and rejuvenators, have been under scrutiny due to the presence of high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the coal tar base. Researchers have found that PAHs mobilize from coal tar sealcoats, primarily through the formation of PAH-laden dust particles. Coal tar-based sealcoats have been banned in many locations in the U.S. due to the concerns over carcinogenic and mutagenic effects of the PAHs they contain. The purpose of this project was to quantify PAHs mobilized from a coal tar-based rejuvenator by evaluating site samples for total PAHs. Total PAH concentrations provided a snapshot of the possible environmental and health risks of coal tar-based products used for pavement maintenance.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Meyer, Caroline Downing
• MacDonald, Seth Michael

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042417-150649

Advisor

• Bergendahl, John Andrew

Year

• 2017

Date created

• 2017-04-24

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Civil Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright