Coal tar sealants prohibited in Glenview

The Village of Glenview prohibits the use and sale of coal tar-based pavement sealants under an ordinance approved by the Board of Trustees effective May 1, 2018. The regulation also requires pavement sealing professionals to have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on-site for any sealant being used.

While Glenview does not issue permits solely for pavement sealing unless part of a larger building plan, residents may still seal their own driveways. Sealant applicators are not required to register with the Village, as sealing work alone does not require a contractor’s permit.

Coal tar-based sealants have largely been phased out by major retailers like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Ace Hardware. As a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative, residents and businesses are encouraged to use asphalt-based sealants. These alternatives emit fewer potentially harmful Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), reduce odor and skin irritation, and are widely available at home improvement stores.

• For more information, visit this U.S. EPA web page
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