[Docather]

I recently sent some material from a pavement surface to be distinguished as either coal tar or bitumen. They have sent back a list of the contents of the material, and for the life of me I cannot confirm whether it is one or the other. Is there something i should be looking for (i.e raised Phenol/Benzo levels?) and what sort of levels should i expect for either coal tar or bitumen?

Any advice would be great! Attached is the results from the three samples

[P]

I would guess that they would contain very similar make ups and would be hard to tell apart.  Why the need to distinguish it anyway?

Maybe the age of the road surface would help?  I thought that modern day use was just bitumen rather than coal tar. If it is modern then probably bitumen? I think they stopped using coal tar as it is more carcinogenic to those working with it.  Once cured off as a road surface though I cannot see how it would hurt anyone. Again - why do you need to distinguish?

[wildfyr]

Is there a published standard somewhere? or maybe you have to send some stuff that is known to be coal tar, and known to be bitumen and get the values yourself.

You could also ask them their opinion haha

[P]

Any advice would be great!

Did you get anywhere with this? Why the need to distinguish?