Coal Tar Prohibition

The City of Traverse City, in partnership with The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, adopted a Ban of Coal Tar Sealant Products which bans the use and sale of coal tar sealant products and other high PAH products with an effective date of February 13, 2020. To view the ordinance, please click here. 

Coal Tar contains high levels of a class of chemicals called PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) that harm fish, and with prolonged exposure, pose a risk of cancer in humans. 

For more information on the harmful effects of Coal Tar, please visit the following pages:

• https://www.gtbay.org/grand-traverse-baykeeper/current-issues/poly-aromatic-hydrocarbons-pahs-from-coal-tar-products/ 
• https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/coaltar.pdf 
• http://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Watershed/coaltar/Coal-Tar-Fact-Sheet-USGS-2011.pdf

Thinking about Sealcoating your driveway? Please click here. 

To report suspected use of Coal Tar products or for any other questions, please contact Kaitlyn Aldrich at kaldrich@traversecitymi.gov.