Years ago, before pipelines carried natural gas across North America, gas was a locally manufactured commodity manufactured in gas plants. The plants operated in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The local plants converted coal and other materials into gas used to light streets and homes. The process created wasted consisting of coal tar, ash and cinders. Coal tar contains materials that are generally believed to cause cancer. Some studies that have been conducted have demonstrated a link between coal tar consumption and cancer in laboratory animals. It is widely accepted that coal tar exposure can be harmful.

Studies that have linked coal tar to animal cancers have been premised on coal tar consumption. However, exposure through skin and by breathing has also been considered as a possible means of becoming ill.

Coal tar has been found throughout the United States. In many cases, the companies that once operated these facilities have been purchased by other companies which exist today. Often these facilities are owned by public utilities. Since many private businesses also manufactured gas, coal tar is often found at private facilities as well.

In the good old days, coal tar waste was often used as fill material. Its has often been found under buildings, including homes, in cases where foundations were low or wet and required fill.

Do you have coal tar under your home or workplace? If so, the problem should be evaluated by a professional environmental remediation company.

You may want to have all of the coal tar taken away -- especially if this is under your home. Lesser strategies may be equally appropriate. Coal tar may be under your workplace and professional assistance is required to evaluate remediation options in those cases as well.

Often the problem can be solved with a cap rather than complete removal. A cap generally means little more than cementing over the hazardous material so that humans do not come into contact with it. But this option should not be accepted unless it is clear that it poses no risk to humans or animals. That requires a professional evaluation.

Moreover, a cap may require a deed notice placing people on notice of the fact the cap exists and that it cannot be disturbed. That deed notice will likely reduce the value of the property and compensation for this reduction may be appropriate.

Coal tar is a common problem that does not spell out the end of the world or imminent danger. But it can be a dangerous material and professional assistance is required to determine how to protect yourself health-wise and legally.

The information provided in this column is written by Stuart Lieberman,a practicing environmental attorney, and is for general information purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be used in place of legal advice.

Stuart Lieberman, Esq., and IRED.Com, Inc., will not accept any responsibilty for any reliance on the information in this column or any damages whatsoever resulting from reading this column.