The asphalt that makes up our roads is a great material for cars to drive on. But Arizona State University researchers have contributed to a study showing that emissions from asphalt can be very bad for human health.
Asphalt can release Volatile Organic Compounds, which worsen air quality. They can cause dizziness and trouble breathing and result in lung cancer.
Off-gassing from asphalt has not been studied as much as other vehicle based emissions.
“The air quality modeling are underestimating the air pollution, especially at the city level, and the street level," said ASU professor and co-author Ellie Fini.
She says asphalt emissions can be particularly bad in Arizona due to the heat, and those particles can stay in the atmosphere.
“Even though roads and bridges and infrastructure have been designed to be safe. We, as the community, can make sure they are also healthy," Fini said.
Fini co-authored another study showing algae based materials can significantly reduce asphalt emissions.
"Policymakers or maybe, city planners, can help address some of this to look at how this emission from blacktop can be mitigated and maybe move toward low emission materials," Fini said.
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