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Queens residents say they can't stand foul odor from nearby asphalt facility
Queens residents say they can't stand foul odor from nearby asphalt facility

CBS News

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • CBS News

Queens residents say they can't stand foul odor from nearby asphalt facility

NEW YORK - For 94 years, Queens resident Florence Michalski has been a fixture on the corner of Long Island City known as Blissville. But lately, she's had to pack up and stay with relatives. "The smell is terrible. You can't go out," she said. She says an acrid stench, like burning tires, billows from Green Asphalt's nearby asphalt recycling plant. "Your eyes tear. You think you're crying all the time," she said. Blissville residents say the odor kicks in early in the morning when the equipment powers on. "The taste goes right onto your tongue. It's horrible," Charles Romer said. "We already live up the block from Newtown Creek, which is a superfund site. Then, you add this into the mix," Warren Davis said. "That's concerning, of course, for myself, concerning for our neighbors." Green Asphalt says it's working to address complaints Green Asphalt declined to be interviewed, writing in a statement to CBS News New York: "Green Asphalt has been in compliance with the air requirements set forth by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) since we were first permitted in 2017. We have been working diligently to address any odor complaints. Green Asphalt's goal is to remain in good standing with the community as we have over the last 14 years, and we continue to engage with local stakeholders in Greenpoint and Long Island City to resolve this as soon as possible." The DEC said it issued an air pollution violation to Green Asphalt in January of 2024. Newtown Creek Alliance executive director Willis Elkins says, though its environmental mission is noble, the company must address adverse impacts. "They're doing 100 percent recycled asphalt, which is better than the city standard," he said. "We're just trying to fight for some basic air quality improvements and protection of human health." Asphalt fumes can cause health problems from a cough to skin cancer, according to the US Department of Labor. Lawmakers call on company to "be a better neighbor" Now, lawmakers are calling for a temporary closure, insisting Green Asphalt has failed to make meaningful change. Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Senator Michael Gianaris, Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, Assemblymember Claire Valdez, Councilmember Lincoln Restler, and Councilmember Julie Won said in a joint statement: "Green Asphalt committed to increasing the height of the emissions stack and redirecting emissions away from our residential community by June, but they have failed to do so. Emissions from Green Asphalt are impacting the health and safety of Greenpoint and Blissville residents alike. We demand Green Asphalt be a better neighbor. While we appreciate the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's Wednesday letter requiring the company to double the height of the emissions stack as soon as they have the necessary approval and not later than year's end, we are pushing for DEC to take more aggressive action by requiring Green Asphalt shut down their operations until the modifications to the emission stack are completed." Neighbors say a shutdown is long overdue. "We're not going to let Green Asphalt put us in the grave," Tom Mituzas said. You can email Elle with Queens story ideas by CLICKING HERE.

Terrifying video shows melting road explode under midwestern heatwave
Terrifying video shows melting road explode under midwestern heatwave

Daily Mail​

time5 days ago

  • Automotive
  • Daily Mail​

Terrifying video shows melting road explode under midwestern heatwave

In a chilling moment caught on video, a heatwave-scorched Missouri road buckled under extreme heat - hurling a car into the air as the asphalt ruptured beneath it. As the first days of summer arrived, a ridge of high pressure settled over the central US, triggering a heatwave across several states - including Missouri - where officials warned of heat index values reaching past 100 degrees, expected to persist through Tuesday. The scorching heat made its power unmistakably clear on Sunday afternoon, when a section of Siemers Drive gave way beneath a moving car, sending it soaring into the air, as reported by ABC News. 'Please drive carefully and be mindful of city workers who will be out repairing streets,' the City of Cape Giradeau warned, according to the outlet. Just before 3pm Sunday afternoon, video footage captured a gray Toyota traveling past a car dealership situated along the road, as reported by KFVS News. What seemed like a smooth, unbroken stretch of road quickly turned ominous as a long crack crept along the white line - a subtle but foreboding sign of the disaster to come. In less than a second, the road suddenly warped and buckled with a loud, thudding sound as the pavement beneath surged upward, forming a dangerous, jagged rise on the residential street - just as the Toyota driver approached. Unable to stop in time, the car struck the jagged rise at full speed, catapulting into the air - its four tires momentarily suspended - before miraculously sticking the landing on the flat road just ahead. The incident has been attributed to the state's intense heatwave. Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures cause the road's surface materials to expand, and without enough space to relieve this pressure, the pavement can buckle - resulting in sudden rises or cracks. Images of the broken road revealed a gaping black void below, where the pavement had fully lifted off the ground - exposing a deep hole underneath. Following the incident, a modest police presence secured the area as the road was temporarily closed to address safety hazards. The city's Public Works Department responded promptly, removing damaged concrete and quickly replacing it with fresh asphalt. As crews worked to fix the damaged road - lined with 'caution' signs - traffic was rerouted through a nearby parking lot to keep vehicles moving safely. Tens of millions of people are now under extreme heat advisories, as a heat dome shifted more towards the Northeast and away from the Midwest. A heat dome - a high-pressure system that traps hot air and blocks cooler air - is driving prolonged heat waves across the US. New York City, Boston and Philadelphia issued extreme heat warnings that went into effect on Sunday, while Washington DC and Baltimore's warnings began on Monday. These areas are expected to see temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, lasting at least until the middle of the week. Now, East Coasters are being warned that failing to properly prepare for the scorching heat could have serious - and potentially dangerous - consequences. 'Summer in the city is here - and so is our first heat wave of the year,' NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced at a Saturday press conference. 'This extreme heat will not just be uncomfortable and oppressive, it will be brutal and it will be dangerous to those who spend extended periods outside.' Calling the potentially record-breaking heat wave 'deadly and life-threatening,' he outlined New York City's plan to protect residents - especially those most at risk. When temperatures are forecasted to reach 95 degrees or higher for one or more days, or 100 degrees or higher for two or more days, the NYC Department of Social Services issues a Code Red Alert. Under the alert, those 'experiencing heat-related discomfort' can visit designated shelters to get a break from the sweltering conditions outside. The groups particularly at risk of heat-related illnesses include people aged 60 and over, young children and those with pre-existing health conditions. New York City Emergency Management Department Zach Iscol said the city is rolling out its emergency response on Sunday, offering 248 cooling shelters to vulnerable New Yorkers. These locations include libraries and other community spaces. Iscol also urged people to 'take the heat seriously' by staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous outdoor tasks and finding places to cool off. Mayor Michelle Wu of Boston has also warned her residents of the heat's severity. Boston has 'splash pads' open at playgrounds and parks around the city, as well as public pools and cooling centers. Meanwhile, Philadelphia's health commissioner, Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson, issued a Heat Health Emergency in the Pennsylvania city. Extreme heat has been a leading cause of all weather-related deaths over the last 30 years. The National Weather Service urges residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned spaces, avoid direct sunlight, and check on vulnerable neighbors.

Do I really need to seal my driveway?
Do I really need to seal my driveway?

Washington Post

time20-06-2025

  • Automotive
  • Washington Post

Do I really need to seal my driveway?

Q: Do I really need to seal my driveway, or is that a racket? And can I do it myself? A: There is considerable debate about whether it's truly necessary to seal asphalt or concrete driveways, but there is also general agreement about the benefits of doing it. Both concrete and asphalt are mixtures of sand, gravel and a binder that holds everything together. In concrete, the glue is Portland cement. In asphalt, it's petroleum-based oil. Both types of paving, if installed correctly with drainage factored in, can last for decades as-is. But both types can also absorb — or be broken down by — spills. Acids and salt are big enemies for concrete; dripping oil from a vehicle can break down asphalt. Ultraviolet rays and heat from the sun can bleach colored concrete and degrade asphalt by making it more brittle and prone to cracking under pressure. And water is one of the worst foes for both types of paving. Where temperatures dip below freezing in the winter, the surfaces can crack when water seeps in and expands. Sealers help keep water from penetrating into the paving. Some have other benefits, such as blocking UV or protecting against stains. And all sealers help a driveway look like it's well cared for. For concrete, you can use a penetrating sealer, which seeps into the minute pores that were left when water in the original concrete mixture evaporated; or a topical sealer, which sits on the surface. For a driveway, the best choice is generally a penetrating sealer with siloxane and/or silane, such as Foundation Armor SX5000. It won't change the look of the concrete or make it more slippery, but it should block water and salt — and all of the problems they cause — for seven to 10 years before it needs to be reapplied. The manufacturer warns, though, that because it isn't a surface coating, it won't block stains. Nor does it resist spilled brake fluid, gasoline or many other solvents. To get more protection against stains (though still not against brake fluid, gasoline and solvents), you would need a surface sealer, such as Foundation Armor AR350, which would give the surface more of a wet look. By darkening the color, it would also help bring out any color added to the concrete, and it would protect against UV, which can cause colorants to fade. You could also mix in color to change the look of your driveway; Armor Foundation sells color packs that result in an opaque coating, like paint. But a surface coating would make the concrete slippery when it is wet, so for a driveway, you'd probably want to use an anti-slip additive or buy a sealer with that feature built in. Also be aware that a surface sealer typically doesn't last very long. You'd need to commit to ongoing maintenance, and you would need to reapply it in one to three years. If your driveway is asphalt, you'll probably want a water-based asphalt sealer. (Coal tar sealers are still sold in parts of the country, but some states have banned them because of concerns about toxic substances in the runoff.) The most challenging part isn't applying the sealer, usually with a squeegee; it's cleaning the surface and filling all the cracks. Pricier sealers include fine sand and other aggregates to help fill tiny cracks (wider cracks and any holes still need to be patched beforehand) and they are likely to last longer than their less expensive counterparts. Black Jack Drive-Maxx, sold at Lowe's and Ace Hardware, comes in formulas labeled 200, 400, 500, 700 and 1000; the 200 type is expected to last two years — probably good only if you're about to put your house on the market, given that all the preparation steps are the same. The 1000 sealer is expected to last 10 years. To decide whether you should seal your driveway yourself, read the technical data sheet, often referred to as the TDS, for the sealer and make sure the steps seem like ones you're able to follow precisely. Details about surface preparation, the application process, the weather and even the time of day really matter, and they vary by product. For example, with its topical sealer, Armor says to work after 5 p.m., when the temperature is dropping and the driveway isn't likely to be in direct sun. For Black Jack Drive-Maxx 1000 asphalt sealer, though, you should work when the temperature is rising. With concrete sealers especially, apply the product in a small test area before you coat the whole driveway. That way you can avoid unexpected problems, which can occur if an earlier sealer is incompatible with what you are applying, or if the driveway isn't clean and dry — or damp, the requirement for some asphalt sealers. Calling a pro might be especially helpful if you don't know what care your driveway has received in the past. Family Handyman has a good step-by-step guide for installing asphalt sealer, including tips about the main ways people mess up, such as by trying to stir a bucket of thick, gooey sealer with a stick instead of with a paddle powered by a drill. The guide author's answer to the question of whether asphalt sealers are really necessary? 'It's true that driveway sealer can't replace the liquid asphalt (oil/tar) that oxidizes and bakes out of the mixture from heat and sun exposure. But a high-quality sealer can dramatically reduce future heat and UV damage. Plus, it seals the pores to prevent aggregate breakup damage caused by water penetration, freeze/thaw cycles and chemicals. So it really does extend the life of your driveway.' Have a problem in your home? Send questions to localliving@ Put 'How To' in the subject line, tell us where you live and try to include a photo.

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