Ameer Randolph
Diesel fuel is a stripping agent that can dissolve asphalt cement, which is a binder in asphalt surfaces. When diesel is spilled on asphalt, it acts as a solvent, breaking down the bitumen and stripping it from the aggregate. This causes the asphalt to become soft and squishy, leading to permanent damage and potential pavement failure. The use of diesel fuel as an asphalt release agent is not only detrimental to the pavement but also poses health risks to workers due to exposure to diesel vapors. Furthermore, the non-biodegradable nature of diesel fuel can result in long-term issues as it slowly breaks down the asphalt. As a result, alternative products like PavePro, which is biodegradable and provides better value, are recommended for use in the paving industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effect on asphalt | Diesel fuel acts as a stripping agent, dissolving asphalt cement and causing permanent damage. |
| Biodegradability | Diesel fuel does not biodegrade and continues to break down asphalt over time. |
| Worker Health Risks | Diesel vapors can worsen asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and lung function and may increase the risk of heart problems, premature death, and lung cancer. |
| Regulatory Compliance | The use of diesel fuel as an asphalt release agent is prohibited by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the Clean Water Act of 1972, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. |
| Cost-Effectiveness | Diesel fuel may be cheaper upfront but can lead to failed mats, cracked surfaces, and additional costs due to its damaging effects on asphalt. |
| Alternatives | PavePro is a cost-effective, biodegradable, and compliant alternative to diesel fuel that does not compromise the integrity of the asphalt mix. |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel is a stripping agent
Diesel fuel is a commonly used stripping agent. Its solvency breaks down bitumen and strips it from the aggregate. This is why it is often used to clean asphalt off equipment. Diesel fuel is composed of hydrocarbon chains, which are also found in bitumen (asphalt). Therefore, when diesel is spilled on asphalt, the bitumen dissolves into the diesel, causing the asphalt to become soft and squishy. This damage is permanent, as the characteristics of the affected asphalt cement are permanently altered, resulting in a loss of strength and the formation of potholes.
The use of diesel fuel as an asphalt release agent has several drawbacks. Firstly, it is illegal under multiple federal laws, including the Oil Pollution Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Contractors found in violation of these laws face hefty fines. Secondly, diesel fuel poses health risks to workers, as exposure to diesel vapors can worsen asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and lung function, and potentially increase the risk of heart problems, premature death, and lung cancer. Thirdly, diesel fuel is not cost-effective in the long run. While it may seem cheaper upfront, a single spilled load or cracked surface due to diesel's deteriorating effects on asphalt can result in significant costs.
Alternatives like PavePro offer a more cost-effective and efficient solution. PavePro is biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and does not harm the asphalt mix. It has a slow evaporation rate, resulting in less product usage and better results. Additionally, PavePro is safer for workers, as it has a high flash point, making it non-flammable and less likely to vaporize into the air.
The use of diesel fuel as a stripping agent can have unintended consequences, not only ruining the pavement you're laying but also potentially impacting the health of workers and incurring legal penalties. With more effective and environmentally friendly alternatives available, such as PavePro, the industry is shifting away from diesel fuel as an asphalt release agent.
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Diesel fuel is harmful to workers
Diesel fuel is a type of fuel derived from crude oil. It is used in most large engines, including trucks, buses, trains, ships, construction equipment, farm equipment, mining equipment, generators, and some cars. Diesel engines power many types of equipment used in a wide range of industries, including transportation, mining, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing operations. As a result, workers in these industries may be exposed to diesel exhaust and its potential health risks.
Diesel exhaust is a mixture of gases and particulates produced during the combustion of diesel fuel. The particulate matter, known as diesel particulate matter (DPM), consists of solid elemental carbon (EC) cores with organic carbon (OC) compounds. The organic carbon includes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been found to cause cancer in animal studies. The gas portion of diesel exhaust includes carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur oxides, and hydrocarbons, while the soot portion contains particles such as carbon, organic materials (including PAHs), and traces of metallic compounds.
Workers exposed to diesel exhaust face a range of potential health effects. Short-term exposure to diesel vapors can cause eye and nose irritation, headaches, nausea, increased blood pressure, lightheadedness, loss of appetite, poor coordination, and difficulty concentrating. Skin contact with diesel fuel can also lead to skin irritation. Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust has been linked to more serious health issues, including lung and bladder cancer, asthma, kidney damage, increased blood pressure, and other effects on the immune, respiratory, urinary, and cardiovascular systems.
To reduce exposure to diesel exhaust, workers can limit the time spent near idling engines and take advantage of control measures and resources provided by organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Additionally, newer diesel engines emit lower amounts of certain chemicals compared to older engines due to EPA regulations and technological improvements. However, it is still advisable to avoid exposure whenever possible, especially for workers in industries with high exposure risks, such as transportation, mining, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.
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Diesel fuel is not biodegradable
Diesel fuel is a stripping agent that breaks down bitumen and strips it from the aggregate. It is a popular asphalt release agent in the paving industry. However, it is not biodegradable, and it causes problems over time as it slowly breaks down the asphalt. Diesel fuel can remain relatively unaltered for decades, and even after it biodegrades, it continues to affect the pavement for nearly three months. This causes permanent damage to the asphalt, resulting in potholes.
Diesel fuel is composed of poliaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which are among the least affected by weathering. The weathering process involves the evaporation of volatile hydrocarbons and the dissolution of soluble components. However, the majority of diesel components are not characterized, and the fuel can persist in the environment for long periods.
The use of diesel fuel as an asphalt release agent is prohibited by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the Clean Water Act of 1972, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. These acts impose hefty fines on contractors found in violation.
An alternative to diesel fuel is PavePro, which is 100% biodegradable and provides better results with a significantly smaller amount of product. PavePro Blue, another alternative, is DOT-approved, water-dilutable, and non-stripping, ensuring it does not ruin the integrity of the asphalt mix.
Biodiesel is another renewable and biodegradable alternative to diesel fuel. It is made from modified vegetable oils and diesel fuel, with soybean oil being the primary source in the US. Biodiesel reduces tailpipe emissions and has lower emissions of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and carbon dioxide compared to diesel. It is also nontoxic and does not contain sulfur or carcinogenic benzene.
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PavePro is a better alternative
Diesel fuel has been the paving industry's gold standard as an asphalt release agent for decades. However, it has many hidden drawbacks, and thousands of companies are now switching to alternatives like PavePro.
Firstly, diesel fuel is illegal. The EPA can fine you up to $180,000 for using diesel fuel on a job, and you can't even get a contract in some places if you use it. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990, The Clean Water Act of 1972, and The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act all forbid contractors from using diesel fuel as an asphalt release agent. These acts impose fines of hundreds of thousands of dollars if a contractor is found in violation of them.
Secondly, diesel fuel is harmful to workers and equipment. Studies show that exposure to diesel vapors primarily affects the respiratory system and worsens asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and lung function. There is also evidence that the vapors emitted from diesel fuel can increase the risk of heart problems, premature death, and lung cancer.
Thirdly, diesel fuel is bad for the environment. It is not biodegradable and causes problems over time because the small amount of diesel fuel left on the pavement slowly breaks down the asphalt.
Finally, diesel fuel is not cost-effective in the long run. One spilled load, one failed mat, one cracked surface—these are the real costs of using a ‘cheap’ release agent like diesel.
PavePro is a superior alternative to diesel fuel. It is 100% biodegradable, made from all-natural ingredients, and does not evaporate as quickly under high heat. This makes it more effective and long-lasting when used to prevent asphalt buildup. PavePro is also DOT-approved, water-dilutable, and non-stripping. It is guaranteed to not ruin the integrity of your mix. In performance tests, PavePro Blue achieved the maximum amount of pulls allotted by NTPEP testers on polymer-modified binders, outperforming all of its competition. PavePro may have a higher upfront cost, but it delivers exponentially more value with every use.
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Diesel fuel is illegal to use
In addition to the legal and safety implications, diesel fuel is detrimental to the integrity of asphalt. It acts as a stripping agent, breaking down the bitumen and stripping it from the aggregate. This process continues even after laying the asphalt, causing the pavement to weaken and fail prematurely. The diesel fuel doesn't biodegrade quickly and can take up to two to three months to stop affecting the pavement.
The negative impact of diesel fuel on asphalt has led to the emergence of alternative release agents, such as PavePro. PavePro is a superior, safer, and more effective option that is fully compliant with regulations. It is engineered specifically for paving, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly, ensuring the integrity of the asphalt mix. PavePro also offers better value, as a small amount goes a long way, resulting in less product wastage.
The use of diesel fuel as an asphalt release agent is not only illegal but also costly and detrimental to the quality of the pavement. With the availability of safer and more effective alternatives, there is a growing awareness and push toward complying with the legal requirements and adopting environmentally friendly practices in the paving industry.
It is worth noting that the illegality of diesel fuel refers specifically to its use as an asphalt release agent and does not extend to its standard use as a fuel for vehicles, equipment, and other applications. However, there are certain types of diesel fuel, such as red-dyed diesel, that are intended for off-road use and are illegal to use in vehicles driving on publicly maintained roads due to tax evasion.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, diesel fuel acts as a solvent and can dissolve and damage asphalt.
Asphalt cement, the binder in asphalt surfaces, is a heavy petroleum product. Diesel fuel is a lighter petroleum oil that can dissolve and dilute asphalt cement.
The diesel fuel will be absorbed by the asphalt, lowering its freezing point and making the surface soft and squishy. The damage is permanent and will result in a pothole.
Yes, PavePro is a biodegradable alternative that does not harm the asphalt mix and is more cost-effective in the long run.
