Title
An Ordinance to Create Section 7.19 of the West Allis Revised Municipal Code Regulating the Application and Sale of Coal Tar Sealant Products.
Body
The Common Council of the City of West Allis do ordain as follows:
PART I. Section 7.19 of Revised Municipal Code of the City of West Allis is hereby created to read:
7.19 Coal Tar Sealant Products.
(1) Findings and Intent.
(a) Whereas, the City of West Allis finds that the City's water resources are a natural asset, which enhance the environmental, recreational, cultural and economic resources of the area and contribute to the general health and welfare of the public; and
(b) Whereas, the City finds that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are contained in coal tar sealants and other high PAHs sealants, volatilize off sealed pavement and can be inhaled by humans and animals; are broken down by sunlight and abraded by vehicle and foot traffic; can be carried off of sealed pavement as small particles by that same traffic and transported into homes and onto nearby soils; and can be carried by storm water and other run off into the water resources of the City; and
(c) Whereas, PAHs are an environmental concern because they are toxic to aquatic life, resulting in a loss of species and a lower number of organisms; and
(d) Whereas, PAH compounds have been proven to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic to humans according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer; individuals with lifelong exposure to coal tar sealcoat treated pavements and playgrounds have a 38-fold higher risk of cancer; and the American Medical Association therefore advocates for legislation to ban the use of pavement sealcoats that contain PAHs or require use of sealcoat products that contain minimal PAH; and
(e) Whereas, environmental impacts and human health risks can be minimized and pavements can be maintained by utilizing alternative products or methods, absent PAHs; and
1. That PAHs, which are containe...
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