Ice Melters - Alternatives To Rock Salt
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There are many alternatives to salt including:
- Potassium chloride
- Calcium chloride
- Magnesium chloride
- Corn processing byproducts
- Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA)
Most salt alternatives can be found in local hardware stores under various trade names, check labels for chemical content. While these alternatives can be spread in a dry form or sprayed as a liquid, their real advantage is as a catalyst to regular salt. They tend to increase the efficiency of salt thereby reducing the amount that needs to be applied. When over-applied, all chloride compounds are harmful to the environment. Non-chloride corn byproducts recycled from mills and breweries have been shown to be effective deicers as well. While they are often advertised as organic or natural, they can have extremely high phosphorus content, a major pollutant.
Numerous studies have shown calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) to be the most environmentally benign deicer. Some American states use CMA on roads in sensitive areas (e.g., wetlands, endangered species' habitat, drinking water supply, etc.). CMA does not work well below -5° C (23° F) and it is the most expensive ice melter. Because all deicers can be harmful to the environment when applied in excess, the best strategy is to reduce the use of these chemicals as much as possible.
