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Effects of Ice Melter & Rock Salt on Health
Effects of Ice Melter & Rock Salt on Health. It's winter, and snow is packing down on the driveway. Slick ice forms on all of the walkways, and walking and driving both become hazardous. Often, we turn to ice melter and rock salt products to melt this ice. However, overusing ice melting products and rock salt does have disadvantages for human...
It's winter, and snow is packing down on the driveway. Slick ice forms on all of the walkways, and walking and driving both become hazardous. Often, we turn to ice melter and rock salt products to melt this ice. However, overusing ice melting products and rock salt does have disadvantages for human health.
Rock Salt and Its Effects on Health
Rock salt makes it harder for ice to freeze and has long been used as a cheap and easy deicing product. However, rock salt is also toxic to plants, animals and waterways. When rock salt builds up in the soil, it can cause metal to leach from the soil. During snow melt periods, these metals then move into the aquifer or into rivers and lakes. Metals like lead may become part of our water supply due to the action of rock salt.
Rock salt is also corrosive. Exposed skin that touches rock salt will gradually be burned over time. Children should stay away from road and pathway margins and build forts and throw snowballs in fresh snow. When children let the salt touch their skin or eyes or mouths, burns or serious stomach irritation can occur.
Ice Melter and Its Effects
There are many other commercial ice melting products. Some contain urea and some contain magnesium chloride. Urea is part of fertilizers, and using many urea-based products can also lead to contamination of local drinking water. Fertilizers can lead to an overgrowth of algae and lead to anaerobic conditions in local lakes, rivers and aquifers.
Brightly-colored ice melter pellets are also dangerous for children because they look similar to candy. All of these products should be kept well away from children.
Alternatives to Salt and Ice Melter Products
The best alternative to these toxic products is to keep the driveway and walkway well-maintained. Shoveling snow regularly helps prevent it from packing or becoming icy if it rains or melts. Use traction products like kitty litter or sand to make it more difficult to slip on ice. Use proper footwear to prevent slipping on walkways. If you must use an ice melter, magnesium chloride-based products are some of the least toxic.
