Do You Know What Is In Your Driveway?

1
Do You Know What Is In Your Driveway?

• By 6th Grade Project Extra students Mason Penn,
  Isabella Iacona and Madison Pagano (The Water
  Washers)

2
What We Are Pursuing

• We are competing in the Siemens Challenge. We
  are researching how PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic
  Hydrocarbon)
• is affecting our environment. This chemical
  leaks from black top driveways into our storm
  sewers. The storm sewers lead into the channels,
  bays and ocean.

3
What Is PAH ?

• PAH is a chemical that is found in Coal Tar Pitch
  sealant
• PAH stands for (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon)
• PAH harms our ocean water
• Natural sources for PAH include forest fires,
  volcanic eruptions, and degradation of biological
  materials (plants and animals)

4
The Harmful Effects of PAH

• When it rains, it runs into the storm sewers
• The storm sewers lead to the oceans and bays
• When the coal tar pitch goes into the water,
  shellfish consume it and gets stuck in the
  shellfishs edible tissue
• If we eat the shellfish, we will get ill
• It also makes fish sick which will harm the food
  chain

5
Coal Tar Pitch Sealant

• Is sprayed onto blacktop to seal it
• Contains harmful chemicals
• Can be found in driveways to seal blacktop
• Coal tar Pitch wears off and breaks down into
  pieces
• The pieces are washed off by other bodies of
  water

6
Alternataves To Coal Tar Sealants

• Use asphalt based sealers that contain only about
  .03 PAHs
• Use permeable asphalt, which does not need to be
  sealed
• Use gravel or concrete, which do not require
  sealant
• Promote shared driveways and parking lots to
  reduce the need for paved surfaces

7
Please Let Us Know If We've Made A Difference
Contact us at waterwashers123_at_gmail.com