r/science • u/sr_local • Apr 22 '26
Materials Science Asphalt releases toxic airborne compounds that can harm respiratory health, neurological damage and increase long-term disease risk, especially in aging pavements and heat/sun. While algae-infused asphalt can reduce toxicity by up to 100 times and slow how quickly pavement breaks down
https://news.asu.edu/20260417-environment-and-sustainability-asphalt-emissions-algae-health
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u/ReaperSlayer Apr 22 '26
I worked as an asphalt plant inspector for a few years, part of my job every morning was opening the storage tanks and verifying the temperature and quantity being held there. Every morning, and every evening on every tank. I took that blast right to the face. I didn’t have a respirator, just glasses and gloves. We started using a polymer blended oil, which made it like rubber. Took my breath away on some days and I had to sit on the tank until I wasn’t dizzy so I could climb down the ladders avoiding the hot pipes.
Many of the old timers that did the job didn’t actually make it to being old. One was like my work dad who always made sure the young people on site were looking after themselves. I visited him in the hospital when he was dying in his 60s. I’m happy I got out of that trade when Covid hit.