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News Flash!
News Flash!
Rock Salt and other deicers may melt the ice but they also end up in our streams, rivers, and lakes and pollute and contaminate our water, plants, and food supply.
Rock salt may sound harmless, but in high concentrations the various ingredients can stunt or kill plants and end up in our waterways through storm runoff, contaminating birds and fish that live and feed there. Some manufacturers also add dangerous chemicals to keep the salts from clumping together. One of those is Magnesium Chloride, which contains a derivative of cyanide that has recently been banned from use in pre-treated lumber due to its ability to leach out of the wood and contaminate the soil.
The high phosphorous content of some deicers largely contributes to algae blooms, which deprives water of oxygen needed by aquatic plants and animals. The government already recommends serious limiting the amount of fresh water fish we eat due to the high levels of contamination in our fish, and pregnant women are urged not to eat any fresh water fish during their pregnancy since they levels of contamination has been linked to birth defects. (Remember too that our lawn fertilizers also commit these same crimes so try to use natural alternatives or use them sparingly.)
The safest option is to remove ice the old-fashioned way shoveling. If that's exercise you're just not up for you can try sand or kitty litter instead, but if you live near a waterway where sedimentation build up is an issue than you may want to look at some other alternatives.
Try liquid rather than granular deicing salts, they cover a larger surface. They may cost a little more but you use less. If you must use a chemical deicer you'll also end up using less if you use the right kind for the conditions. Magnesium Chloride, for example, works to minus 13 degrees F. Calcium Chloride works to minus 25 degrees F. Try to avoid products containing phosphorous more than 50 parts per million.
Think creatively if you have several doors to enter and exit your house try using just one in the winter to avoid having to clear extra paths. You can also try anti-icing techniques by apply deicers before the storm hits. It's easier to remove snow before ice forms and you'll need fewer chemicals. If you have kids, especially if they are overweight, get them off the computer and away from the TV and send them outside for some good winter exercise and shovel, shovel, shovel.
By: Lisa Alexander
Certified Eco Broker®
