Oakmont officials don't want coal tar in the borough triblive.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from triblive.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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O’Hara council last week stopped short of banning coal tar use in the township but approved a resolution to support alternatives to the toxic chemical.
Citing risks to health and environment, council joined a growing list of municipalities that are moving away from coal tar, a substance linked to stomach and bladder cancer.
It is most commonly used in seal coating driveways and sport courts.
“O’Hara strongly encourages the use of alternates to coal tar for seal coating,” township Manager Julie Jakubec said. “We believe it is better for folks and the environment.”
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Hampton council became the fourth municipality in the state to take a stand against coal tar use in the township, though the board stopped short of banning the toxic chemical.
Coal tar is the black liquid commonly used to seal parking lots and playgrounds. It is a potent source of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and has been linked to certain cancers including stomach and bladder.
“We have become aware of the health and environment implications of the PAHs associated with coal tar sealant, and I would prefer that they not be used within the township,” council Vice President Carolynn Johnson said.
Aspinwall council is seeking three grants totaling more than $215,000 for townwide upgrades.
They include money for trail improvements at Fireman’s Memorial Park, sewer separation along Western Avenue and work at the Aspinwall Volunteer Fire Department garage.
Work at the park in upper Aspinwall will include replacing the current asphalt trail with a wider, wheelchair-friendly walkway, Manager Melissa Lang-O’Malley said.
A grant for $41,000 was submitted to the Allegheny Valley North Council of Governments.
The plan also includes adding two handicapped-accessible spaces to the parking lot.
Bid requests for the work are expected to go out soon. Councilmember Jeff Harris said at last month’s meeting that coal tar will not be used in the project.