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Bitumen : Major Cause Of Pollution

News: The bitumen used in road building, according to the Goa Power Minister, is a significant source of pollution.

Bitumen is a hydrocarbon derived from petroleum that is dense and very viscous.

It can be obtained as a byproduct of the distillation of crude oil or it can be found in deposits such as oil sands and pitch lakes (natural bitumen).

Bitumen won’t flow at the temperatures often found in natural deposits. It needs to be heated and, in some situations, diluted with a lighter oil in order to be passed through a pipe.

Under significant weights, bitumen can permanently distort. Cracking may occur if the material is subjected to sustained stress.

Its chemical makeup, specifically the big hydrocarbon molecules known as asphaltenes and resins, which are present in lighter oils but are greatly concentrated in bitumen, is what gives it its density and viscosity.

In addition, bitumen frequently contains significant amounts of nonmetallic inorganic elements including nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur as well as metals like nickel and vanadium.

Bitumen is frequently used in the construction sector, particularly for roads and highways, and is well known for its waterproofing and adhesive characteristics.

Boats and other marine vessels are frequently waterproofed using this technique.

Companies that design and produce roofing materials also use it.

It is utilised for sealing and insulating functions in a variety of building materials, including paint and the backing for carpet tiles.