Tom - Good observation.  Of course, most of it has a great affinity for
the asphalt, especially in really hot weather, other fractions are
responsible for the "detergent like" action upon the first rain
(responsible for the extreme slickness of asphalt just after the rain,
huh?) and a very SMALL fraction makes it into the grounds bordering the
highway!  Some tree-huggers would have you believe that streams near the
highways are ankle-deep in scrubbed off tire material.  Go figure?

I remember, back in the 70s when I was in veterinary school, being
exposed to "expert" studies, most, I think, were German, where they cut
hay raised in the medians/sides of the highways and fed them to cattle,
UNTIL the cattle were shown to be experiencing lead poisoning from the
contaminated grass!  Jeez, this was some really RAD stuff!  Chlorinated
hydrocarbons might be found on the medians/sides of highways???  God,
that's ALMOST as RAD as the idea that one might find soil in old gas
station lots "contaminated" with chlorinated hydrocarbons, huh???

BOB - WA4RRN
'85GL - "Bourgeois"
http://www.hydrocarbon'sorganic.org