Asphalt's Toxic Legacy: A Fragile Fix in a Larger Problem The streets, roads, and parking lots that make up our infrastructure are coated with asphalt, a binding agent that has been quietly poisoning people for decades.
Research has shown that asphalt emissions contain carcinogens, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) linked to respiratory problems, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
In recent years, researchers like Elham Fini at Arizona State University have begun investigating potential solutions.