Does asphalt pavement or reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) leach petroleum? The answer to this question is NO.
Asphalt pavement’s inert quality has been observed in a number of studies. In 2002, Kriech et al. conducted a laboratory study to determine 29 PAHs in leachate water of six paving asphalt and four roofing asphalt samples. Samples were leached according to US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methods. Results indicated that none of the paving samples tested leached any of the 29 PAHs. Similarly, Brantley and Townsend performed a series of leaching tests on samples of reclaimed asphalt from facilities in Florida. None of 16 EPA priority pollutant PAHs were detected in the water from of any of these samples. The authors pointed out that during normal use of pavement, the asphalt may come in contact with vehicle exhaust, lube oils, gasoline, and metals from brake pads. And yet, no PAHs were detected.
http://www.asphaltroads.org/assets/_control/content/files/cleanerwater.pdf