Key takeaway
What This Development Means
Michigan’s Senate Bill 710 proposes a statewide ban on coal tar and other high-PAH sealants, due to their health and environmental risks. The bill would enforce usage and sales restrictions, introduce compliance documentation, and levy fines, signalling a major regulatory change for construction and materials stakeholders.
What are coal tar sealants and why are they being banned in Michigan?
Coal tar sealants are surface coatings used on asphalt and concrete. They contain high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are harmful to both humans and aquatic life. Michigan’s proposed ban aims to reduce PAH pollution and its associated health risks.
How will the Michigan coal tar sealant ban affect suppliers and contractors?
Suppliers must stop selling these products in Michigan unless buyers submit a form affirming out-of-state use. Contractors and property owners must cease using these sealants altogether, or risk civil fines. The policy demands swift operational and procurement changes across the sector.
Source basis: Source
Michigan lawmakers have introduced a bill to prohibit the use and sale of coal tar-based sealants, citing the environmental and health risks associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Senate Bill 710, brought forward on 13 November 2025, would amend the state’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, marking a major shift in chemical regulation for construction and surface treatment professionals across the state.
PAHs Under Scrutiny In Pavement Products
The proposed legislation targets both coal tar sealants and other high-PAH alternatives such as steam-cracked petroleum residues and ethylene tar. These substances, commonly used to seal asphalt and concrete surfaces, are known to contain over 0.1% PAHs by weight — a group of chemicals linked to cancer, respiratory issues, and environmental contamination.
Coal tar sealants often include chemical components with CAS numbers like 65996-92-1 and 8007-45-2, which have been flagged by scientists and regulators due to their persistence and toxicity in aquatic ecosystems. Once applied, PAHs can leach into stormwater, polluting nearby water bodies and posing risks to wildlife and human health alike.
New Sales And Use Restrictions For High-PAH Sealants
If passed, Senate Bill 710 would make it unlawful to apply or sell these products within Michigan, with a narrow exemption for scientific research or the development of safer alternatives. Property owners will also be held accountable if prohibited sealants are found on their premises, under a rebuttable presumption clause in the bill.
Suppliers may only sell such products outside Michigan and must collect a completed “no-Michigan-use form” from purchasers, confirming the sealants will not be used within the state. These forms must be retained for at least three years and made available to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) upon request.
Fines And Compliance Timelines
Violators of the proposed rules could face civil penalties of up to $5,000 per offence. The bill includes a 90-day grace period from the date of enactment, giving businesses limited time to update supply chains and shift to compliant alternatives.
Professionals across the asphalt, construction, retail, and real estate sectors will need to assess their product lines and maintenance practices to avoid regulatory breaches. Environmental consultants and surface material manufacturers are also likely to see increased demand for low-PAH alternatives as the bill progresses.
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