We see tarmac every day on roads, driveways, and parking. Why do engineers favour tarmac over other paving materials? This is mainly because the tarmac is highly durable, resulting in a smooth and long-lasting surface that can accommodate various vehicles, from heavy-duty trucks to fast cars and electric vehicles.
We see tarmac every day on roads, driveways, and parking. Why do engineers favour tarmac over other paving materials? This is mainly because the tarmac is highly durable, resulting in a smooth and long-lasting surface that can accommodate various vehicles, from heavy-duty trucks to fast cars and electric vehicles.
However, tarmac has been the subject of various studies associating it with health risks due to its fumes. This article examines the various components of tarmac fumes and their potential health effects.
Composition of Tarmac Fumes
Tarmac is primarily composed of gravel aggregates and tar, a derivative of bitumen, which in itself is derived from crude oil. For road construction and repair purposes, bitumen has to be heated to high temperatures to make it workable.
During this process, harmful polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as naphthalene, benzene, toluene, and xylene are released into the air.
Other than during construction, even long after a tarmac road has been paved, these aromatic fumes can still be released as cars and heavy vehicles move and screech along the tarmac surface.
Risk Factors of Tarmac Fumes
Tarmac fumes pose the greatest health risk to people constantly in contact with it. As such, the most at-risk groups include:
- Construction crews
- Road and car park surfacing workers
- Roofers
- Drivers
- Airport tarmac workers
- People living near construction sites
Health Effects of Tarmac Fumes
Fume exposure comes mostly through inhalation; however, tar can still cause injury via dermal contact in its fresh state. Though the potential health effects of tarmac fumes are a subject of ongoing research, some studies have highlighted concerning outcomes. Among possible symptoms of acute or chronic tarmac exposure are:
- Headaches
- Skin rashes
- Throat and eye irritation
- Coughing
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Leukaemia
- Cancer of the skin, lungs, and stomach.
However, the risk of cancer is typically associated with chronic occupational exposure and may not be as relevant to the general public occasionally exposed to tarmac fumes.
Regulatory Measures and Safety Guidelines
For the safety of workers and the general public, there are set safety guidelines and exposure limits for tarmac fumes. These guidelines often include measures to mitigate exposure levels, such as:
- Shortening work hours in high-fume areas or rotating workers to lower exposure times.
- Providing workers easy access to personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respirators and gloves, to minimise direct contact and inhalation.
- Installing proper ventilation systems in enclosed workspaces to reduce the concentration of harmful chemicals in the air.
- Using lower-temperature asphalt mixes that produce fewer volatile organic compounds during tarmac laying.
- Raising awareness among the general public about potential risks and precautionary measures to take
Conclusion
While tarmac fumes pose potential health risks, especially to workers in close proximity to construction activities, these risks can be minimised through these collective efforts. To keep tarmac fumes within safe limits, regulatory bodies, construction companies, and individuals living near construction sites must collaborate to ensure that exposure is properly managed by implementing appropriate safety guidelines.
