A material frequently used to patch pothole-pocked roadways leaks 240,000 gallons of environmentally toxic fuel oil every year onto New York City’s streets, industry sources told ‘The Post’. The diesel or other toxic oil—key ingredients in the blacktop material known as “cold patch”—separates as the material hardens, and then leaches into the soil, is washed off into sewers or rivers, or evaporates into the air, according to paving-industry publications. “You’re talking about an extraordinary amount of diesel fuel”, said Ralph Avallone, president of the International Green Energy Council environmental education group, noting it’s the equivalent of nearly 40 full tanker trucks.
“It’s not healthy for our children. It’s not healthy for our animals. It’s not healthy for our planet.”
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HIGH ROAD: Glenn Shapiro (left) and Warren Day of Cold Mix Manufacturing demonstrate GreenPatch, a more eco-friendly pothole filler than the toxic kind used by the Department of Transportation |
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Although cold patch has long been used to fill potholes and seal gaps in roads opened by construction or wear, there have been no studies on the health impact of its extensive fuel runoff.
Dr. David Collymore, medical director of Soundview Healthcare Network, said at the least, the visible fumes given off by cold patch on roads could be contributing to the asthma epidemic afflicting poor communities his organization serves in The Bronx, as well as in East Harlem.
“The environment plays a role in our health,” he noted.
If there is significant health risk, it soon could worsen. The sour economy is leading the city and state to delay plans for a number of roadway-replacement projects, which would mean more road repairs—and increased used of cold patch. But the city Department of Transportation, a major cold patch consumer recently awarded a low-bid contract to buy up to 5,000 tons over the next two years of a new type of cold patch that doesn’t contain diesel fuel. It instead contains an environmentally friendly biodegradable solvent.
In fact, the DOT had no clue that GreenPatch made by Cold Mix Manufacturing in Flushing, Queens contained an eco-friendlier bio-degradable fuel oil until a Post reporter told the agency. GreenPatch is “definitely along the lines of what we’re looking for,” said DOT spokesman Seth Solomnow, noting his agency’s push toward environmentally beneficial practices.
Glenn Shapiro, head of product development for Cold Mix Manufacturing, said this is the first year his company is selling GreenPatch. But he predicted it soon would make its way into “every major Department of Transportation, first locally, then nationwide” because of its environmentally neutral impact. “I see industry wide changes being made,” Shapiro said. “They’re going to say, ‘You’re no longer going to be able to use or produce cold asphalt with a petroleum-based product.”
dan_mangan@nypost.com |
