PFAS Found In Recycled Asphalt Used To Pave Rural Roads

When It Rains, Recycled Asphalt Materials Wash Away Into Roadside Ditches And Wells, Which Means That Rural Areas Are At A Higher Risk Of PFAS Contamination

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 - Many rural towns now use asphalt recycling to keep their roads in good shape, but new research shows that this method may have some unexpected effects. Researchers who tested runoff near newly paved rural roads found measurable amounts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are known as forever chemicals because they stay in the environment for a long time and are connected to a number of health problems. The problem seems to come from recycled asphalt pavement, which is commonly constructed from old roofing materials and construction debris. This pavement has PFAS in it from when it was used in sealants, paints, and waterproof coatings. These chemicals can slowly wash off the roads when it rains and go into ditches, creeks, and groundwater recharge sites nearby. People may not detect the contamination for years, especially in tiny towns that get their drinking water from shallow wells. Local officials who first thought that recycled asphalt was a good choice for the environment are now being asked about long-term exposure and testing. Scientists say that once these compounds get into the ecosystem, they can move around a lot in water and travel large distances. As worries grow, people in the area are talking about the cancer risk from PFAS water contamination and whether cities that used recycled materials without proper screening may be held responsible. Some people in the community have already contacted a PFAS cancer lawyer to find out the best way to report and document pollution near their houses.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that PFAS can stay in soil and groundwater for decades, and even little amounts are bad for people's health. Researchers have revealed that PFAS used in building materials, especially waterproofing compounds and polymer coatings, can be chemically stable even after they are recycled by grinding and heating them up again. This means that when old asphalt shingles, roofing membranes, or industrial trash are used to make new pavement, PFAS residues can still be found in the new pavement. When it rains, these chemicals might wash away and mix with the water, which means that pollutants are always being released into adjacent bodies of water. Rural regions are especially at risk since they typically don't have the tools and resources to screen for new pollutants. Environmental groups are starting to suggest that asphalt recycling programs be watched more closely. For example, they should check where the materials came from and do a chemical analysis before they can be used again. Some governments have already started pilot projects to see how PFAS leaches from pavement into nearby soils and rivers. They hope to set stricter safety limits. The results show how quickly recycling initiatives that are meant to be good can go wrong when the materials being reused come from older, chemically treated sources. Regulators are now asking for openness in how materials are sourced and for the creation of building options that don't use PFAS.

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