Cities Hit Back at Scorching Asphalt as Heat Traps Fuel Health Warnings and Costly Overhauls
Black asphalt blankets American cities. It absorbs the sun’s rays with ruthless efficiency. Surface temperatures climb past 150 degrees Fahrenheit on summer days. The stored heat radiates back into the air long after sunset. Neighborhoods stay hotter. Air conditioners run harder. Residents pay the price in higher bills and greater discomfort.
But the problems run deeper. Recent studies show hot pavement releases volatile organic compounds, including benzene and other aromatics. Inhaling them in excess triggers headaches, dizziness and breathing trouble. Longer exposure carries risks of neurological damage and elevated lung cancer odds. Researchers at Arizona State University have documented these effects in detail. Arizona PBS reported the findings on May 11, 2026…