Patent ID: 8852424

Claim:
A method for sequestering free polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in an asphalt composition comprising: (1) heating the asphalt composition to an elevated temperature, (2) mixing an activated carbon throughout the asphalt composition, and (3) maintaining the asphalt composition containing the activated carbon at the elevated temperature for a period of time which is sufficient for the activated carbon to sequester the free polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the asphalt composition, wherein the free polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons include benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(e)pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(j)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, wherein the level of free benzo(a)pyrene is reduced to less than 1 ppm, wherein the elevated temperature is above the softening point of the asphalt, and wherein the elevated temperature at least 40° C.