Book excerpt: Asphalt, also known as bitumen, is a semi-solid, solid or viscous liquid produced by the distillation of crude oil during petroleum refining. It has a varied of uses including as paving and roofing materials, in protective coatings to prevent corrosion of metals, in the lining of irrigation canals, water reservoirs, dams, and sea defence works, in adhesives in electrical laminates and as a base for synthetic turf. This publication, part of a series from the International Programme on Chemical Safety, evaluates the effects of asphalts on human health and the environment.