Figure 1.

PAHs from coal-tar-based pavement sealcoat are transported by different pathways to various environmental compartments. Once dry, the sealcoat product (A), which contains high concentrations of PAHs, is abraded into a powder and becomes part of the dust on the pavement (B). That dust is transported by storm runoff (C) to stormwater management devices (D) or to receiving streams and lakes (E). Parking lot dust also adheres to tires (F) that track it onto unsealed pavement, and wind and runoff transport the dust to nearby soils (G). Dust particles also are tracked on shoes into residences, where they become incorporated into house dust (H). Volatile PAHs in coal-tar-based sealcoat are released into the air (I). PAH concentrations associated with each compartment and literature sources are provided in Table 1.