Asphalt, also known as bitumen, is a semi-solid, solid or viscous liquid produced by the distillation of crude oil during petroleum refining. It has a varied of uses including as paving and roofing materials, in protective coatings to prevent corrosion of metals, in the lining of irrigation canals, water reservoirs, dams, and sea defence works, in adhesives in electrical laminates and as a base for synthetic turf. This publication, part of a series from the International Programme on Chemical Safety, evaluates the effects of asphalts on human health and the environment.

This volume of the IARC Monographs provides evaluations of the carcinogenicity of bitumens and their emissions, the N-heterocyclic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons benz[a]acridine, benz[c]acridine, dibenz[a,h]acridine, dibenz[a,j]acridine, dibenz[c,h]acridine, carbazole and 7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazole, as well as the S-hetrocyclic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons benzo[b]naphtho[2,1-d]thiophene and dibenzothiophene. Bitumens are produced by distillation of crude oil during petroleum refining, and also occur naturally. Bitumens can be divided into six broad classes, according to their physical properties and specifications required for different applications. The major use (about 80%) of bitumens is for road paving; other uses include roofing, waterproofing, sealing and painting. The term "bitumen" should not be confused with "asphalt", which refers to the mixture of bitumen (4-10% by weight), small stones, sand and filler used for road paving. Bitumens are complex mixtures that contain a large number of organic chemical compounds. Application of bitumens may generate emissions (fumes and vapours) that may contain, among volatile and non-volatile compounds, a number of known or probable carcinogens. An IARC Monographs Working Group reviewed epidemiological evidence, animal bioassays, and mechanistic and other relevant data to reach conclusions as to the carcinogenic hazard to humans of various occupations that entail exposure to bitumens and bitumen emissions, including road paving, roofing, and application of mastic asphalt, and to various heterocyclic polycyclic aromatic compounds.

The urgent need for infrastructure rehabilitation and maintenance has led to a rise in the levels of research into bituminous materials. Breakthroughs in sustainable and environmentally friendly bituminous materials are certain to have a significant impact on national economies and energy sustainability. This book will provide a comprehensive review on recent advances in research and technological developments in bituminous materials. Opening with an introductory chapter on asphalt materials and a section on the perspective of bituminous binder specifications, Part One covers the physiochemical characterisation and analysis of asphalt materials. Part Two reviews the range of distress (damage) mechanisms in asphalt materials, with chapters covering cracking, deformation, fatigue cracking and healing of asphalt mixtures, as well as moisture damage and the multiscale oxidative aging modelling approach for asphalt concrete. The final section of this book investigates alternative asphalt materials. Chapters within this section review such aspects as alternative binders for asphalt pavements such as bio binders and RAP, paving with asphalt emulsions and aggregate grading optimization. - Provides an insight into advances and techniques for bituminous materials - Comprehensively reviews the physicochemical characteristics of bituminous materials - Investigate asphalt materials on the nano-scale, including how RAP/RAS materials can be recycled and how asphalt materials can self-heal and rejuvenator selection

This is the first volume of a two-volume set of critical reviews of many aspects of both asphaltenes and asphalts and their interrelationship. Asphaltene is invariably present in asphalt or bitumen and other fossil fuel-derived liquids such as coal tar, coal liquefaction products, pyrolyzed shale oil from oil shales, source rock extracts and numerous naturally occurring bituminous substances. The latter include asphaltites, asphaltoids, waxes, and carbonaceous deposits containing a composition of petroleum and coal.The contents cover not only the basic science of asphaltene but also deal with the applications and technology such as upstreams (production, recovery) and down streams (refining, upgrading) of petroleum, and the paving technology and formulation preparation. The main features of the book are: it provides an up-to-date, in-depth review of every aspect of asphaltenes and asphalts; it spans five decades of research and technology of heavy fractions of petroleum; it presents a global view of asphaltene related to exploration production, refining and upgrading.The book will be welcomed as a valuable reference source for petroleum companies, research institutes, refineries, universities and also by individuals dealing with the production, origin, formation, engineering, conversion and catalysis of heavy oil, tar sands and other bitumens materials.

Shell has been at the forefront of bitumen technology for over 90 years, and continues to play a leading role in global bitumen research and development. The Shell Bitumen Handbook is an authoritative source of information on bitumen use in road pavements around the world.

This volume contains contributions from international experts, reflecting the rapid advances in the design of new improved bitumen and hydraulic bound composites, the trends in the use of waste and recycled materials and up-to-date methods of testing and evaluation.