We had some construction work done on the roof and today I found asphalt dust from when the shingles were cut (small shingle strips and powder from shingles) covering my trees and newly planted citrus. I am trying to scrape off as much top soil as possible. Anything else I can do? I am worried that this is toxic and I cannot eat anything from these plants or trees without poisoning myself. Any advise?
Most of the toxicity associated with asphalt is from the fumes and that just isn't an issue with roofing shingles. Asphalt dust is mostly crystalline silica and while that in quantity may pose an inhalation hazard, it is not going to be absorbed by or poison your plants. Just clean up any larger pieces and hose down the plants to remove the dust. And I wouldn't bother removing any soil - the dust is likely present in such small concentration as to not be an issue.
I doubt that there is a problem. I have had 3 houses re roofed and there is always scraps to clean up. In fact, my mother-in-law uses full shingles for mulch under her plants and has for years. She's 81, a little crazy, but still kicking.
Thanks a lot for putting my mind at rest. It was just gray colored dust particles on my edibles planting bed and newly planted citrus. I used microfiber cloths to wipe off all visible dust and hosed the plants down. I also scraped a little soil off wherever I could see any of the dust. I guess the concentration of the asphalt dust is too small and in hindsight, if this had happened before I moved into the house, there was no way I would have known about it and it probably happens in all construction sites.
Shingles is more common among the older citizens; however those with a suppressed immune system such as people with diabetes and HIV are susceptible to shingles, irrespective of their age group.
