Being Salt Smart does not only apply to our diets. We are also oversalting our sidewalks, parking lots, and roadways in an effort to reduce ice-related injuries. Unfortunately, our thoughtful effort is also causing chloride toxicity in our waterways and impacts aquatic life, soil and human health.
In the United States, the use of chloride-based salts for winter road deicing has increased steadily since its initial usage in the s. Between and , the use of salt for deicing more than doubled from 8 to Chloride concentrations Cl- have ranged from 65 ppm to as high as ppm!
The U. EPA has set the aquatic life criteria for Cl- at ppm for chronic exposure and ppm for acute exposure. Studies are ongoing, looking at the tolerance ranges for aquatic ecosystems and how salt deposits in roadside soil and vegetation impact the gradual release of Cl- concentrations in the warmer months.
Consider the impact to wildlife and domestic animals of excess salt on our roadways. Other alternatives for de-icing include beet juice, coffee grounds, vinegar, and salt in liquid saline form. For more information about Being Salt Smart, visit: www.
February 06, Featured Local Savings.
