North Cook News

To ensure that Illinois residents have clean air to breathe, the state Senate approved a proposal requiring public schools and state agencies to disclose the use of pavement sealant that includes toxic, tar-based materials. 

The compounds in these sealants have been known to cause cancer, and this bill protects Illinois residents from that.

Under Sen. Laura Fine’s (D-Glenview) Coal Tar Sealant Act, public schools and districts, daycares and state agencies would be required to disclose the use of coal tar-based sealant on playgrounds, parking lots and other paved areas. This measure would also require groups planning to use coal tar-based sealant for a pavement project to look into cleaner alternatives.

“Clean air is a basic human right, and parents shouldn’t have to worry about their children breathing in dangerous chemicals on the playground,” Fine said in a May 1 Facebook post. “Disclosing the use of coal tar-based sealants and encouraging cleaner alternatives is essential to protecting our community and the environment.”

Seven cities in the state have already banned coal-tar sealants, including three in Fine’s district.

High levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) are found in coal tar and some other sealants used in pavement projects, which could lead to environmental contamination as the sealants wear away over time. There are many environmentally friendly alternatives to coal tar-based sealants with little to no PAH available at a similar cost.

Studies have shown PAH compounds may cause cancer, birth defects and other health complications. Lifelong exposure to coal tar-treated pavements and playgrounds can increase an individual's cancer risk by 38 times.

The state Senate passed SB 692 on April 23, and it will move to the House for consideration.