Gas Produced by Heating Asphalt

Hot asphalt emits gases predominantly composed of various hydrocarbons, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Asphalt’s composition includes asphaltenes, resins, saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons.

Due to the high-temperature treatment or extended evaporation of natural, petroleum, and coal tar asphalt, the heating process generates small molecular substances, chiefly long-chain and aromatic hydrocarbons, notably significant molecules such as naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene, and benzo[a]pyrene.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are notably toxic and some are known carcinogens.