The Dangers of Toxic Coal-Tar Driveway and Parking Lots Sealants to the Watershed

by | Jul 28, 2021 | Backyard Conservation, News, Water Resources

photo of Brian Will

Brian Will

Come Join FLOW as we return to our Outreach and Education Speaker Series on Tues., Sep. 14, 5:30-6:30 at Whetstone Library!  

Brian Will is an organizer of Sustainable Grandview, a grassroots, community-based citizens alliance in Grandview Heights dedicated to pursuing a cleaner and more environmentally friendly city.  He has been on the board of trustees of the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) since 2016 where he leads the Solid Waste Plan committee.  He is employed at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center where he works in medical education and is a leader on the med center’s green team.

 

 

a freshly sealed driveway

As coal tar sealants degrade, their toxic particles are washed into the waterways and are tracked into our homes.

From a sustainability perspective, Brian’s primary interest is advocating for the protection of wildlife and natural habitat, especially native trees and plants, waterways and prairies.  To this end, he volunteers with Friends of Lower Olentangy Watershed, the Grange Audubon Center, Green Columbus, Citizens Climate Lobby, and the Sycamore Land Trust.

Brian has achieved household carbon neutrality with the help of rooftop solar panels, reducing household energy usage, diet and lifestyle changes and purchasing carbon offsets through Carbon Neutral Ohio.

In his role with Sustainable Grandview, Brian has written white papers and made presentations to the city council and mayor on various environmental topics, including the importance of tree canopies and the dangers of coal-tar driveway and parking lot sealants.  Brian will be discussing the latter, as toxic coal-tar represents a significant threat to humans as well as aquatic life in the watershed