This document outlines a methodology for the environmental characterization of reclaimed asphalt (RA) in order to increase its reuse potential. The methodology includes using GC-MS screening to identify potentially hazardous organic compounds in RA, evaluating leaching tests to characterize leaching behavior over time and for compliance, conducting ecotoxicological testing of leachates using aquatic and terrestrial organisms, and identifying a test for airborne emissions during hot RA processing. The overall goal is to properly characterize RA and quantify potential emissions during its lifecycle stages to ensure its safe handling and reuse.

1. Test Methods for Environmental Characterization of
Reclaimed Asphalt
(Verktygslåda för miljökaraktärisering av återvunnen asfalt)
Anja ENELL1, Ciaran McNALLY2, Roman LICBINSKY3, Aoife QUINN2,
Jiri HUZLIK3, Vincent GAUDEFROY4, Virginie MOUILLET4, Ola WIK1
1
Statens GeotekniskaInstitut (SGI), Sweden
2
School of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, University College Dublin,
Dublin, Ireland
3
Transport Research Centre (CDV),Czech Republic
4
IFSTTAR and LCPC, France.
Abstract
From a European perspective, the share of recycling of reclaimed asphalt (RA) that is reused
in new asphalt surface courses is rather lower than what can be technically achieved. The use
of RA in pavement construction can conserve natural resources and reduce environmental
impacts (e.g. CO2 emissions, depletion of natural resources etc). However, for RA to be used
to its full potential it must first be fully characterized. This would include an environmental
assessment to determine whether or not the RA contains any contaminants associated with its
previous use as a pavement material. To increase the reuse of RA, and to ensure safe handling
during the whole life cycle, it is thus important to correctly characterize these materials and to
quantify potential emissions that arise at different stages (e.g. during production, processing
and handling etc.). This study outlines a methodology for the environmental characterization
of RA, allowing for identification and quantification of potentially hazardous compounds in
emissions arising from the different stages of the RA’s life cycle. This includes:
GC-MS screening to identify potentially hazardous organic compounds susceptible to
leaching from RA;
Identification and evaluation of leaching tests (both with respect to full
characterization (i.e. leaching behaviour over time) and compliance testing);
Ecotoxicological testing of leachates, using a biotest battery (freshwater algae,
terrestrial plant, water arthropod and fish) that represent different trophic levels.
Identification and evaluation of a test method for airborne emissions arising in mixing
conditions at manufacturing temperature.
The study was part of the European FP7 project Re-Road – end of life strategies of asphalt
pavements and more information can be found at http://re-road.fehrl.org.
Keywords: Reclaimed Asphalt; Characterization; Leaching; Ecotoxicity; Airborne emissions;