Based on environmental impact and safety for surrounding life, calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) is considered the best choice for safely melting ice.
When choosing an ice melter, balancing effectiveness with potential harm to plants, pets, and the environment is crucial. Traditional ice melting salts, while effective at lowering the freezing point of water, can introduce harmful chlorides into the soil and waterways.
Why CMA is Considered the Best for the Environment
According to the provided information, calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) stands out as the superior option. It works differently from chloride-based salts and has a significantly lower environmental impact.
- Lower Chloride Content: CMA contains minimal to no chlorides compared to rock salt (sodium chloride), calcium chloride, or even magnesium chloride. High chloride levels can be toxic to plants, damage soil structure, and harm aquatic life when runoff enters bodies of water.
- Safer for Plants and Animals: Its low chloride content makes CMA much less corrosive and safer for vegetation, landscaping, and the paws of pets walking on treated surfaces.
- Reduced Infrastructure Damage: CMA is less corrosive to concrete, asphalt, and metal than traditional salts, helping to preserve infrastructure like sidewalks and bridges.
While magnesium chloride is noted as being less toxic than rock salt or calcium chloride because it contains less chloride, it still has levels that can cause issues. This highlights that even among the better salt options, chloride remains a concern.
Comparing Ice Melters: Chloride Levels and Environmental Impact
Different ice melting products have varying levels of chloride and associated environmental risks. Here's a look at some common options:
| Ice Melter | Primary Component | Chloride Content | Environmental Impact | Note (from reference) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) | Calcium, Magnesium, Acetate | Very Low/None | Least harmful to plants, animals, and infrastructure. | Considered the best choice for safely melting ice. |
| Magnesium Chloride | MgCl₂ | Moderate | Less harmful than NaCl/CaCl₂ but can still cause chloride-related issues. | Considered the least toxic deicing salt but still has chloride levels that cause issues. |
| Calcium Chloride | CaCl₂ | High | Harmful to plants, corrosive to surfaces, contributes high chloride to environment. | Contains more chloride than magnesium chloride. |
| Sodium Chloride (Rock Salt) | NaCl | High | Most common, but highly corrosive and damaging to plants, soil, and water sources. | Contains more chloride than magnesium chloride. |
Other Environmental Considerations When Using Ice Melters
Beyond choosing the best product like CMA, here are other ways to minimize the environmental footprint of ice melting:
- Use Sparingly: Apply only the amount necessary to be effective. More is not always better and simply adds excess chemicals to the environment.
- Clear Snow First: Remove as much snow as possible manually before applying any ice melter. This reduces the amount of product needed.
- Consider Alternatives: For less severe ice, sand or cat litter can provide traction, although they don't melt ice and can require cleanup.
- Sweep Up Excess: Once the ice has melted, sweep up any leftover granules to prevent them from washing into storm drains and waterways.
Choosing CMA, when possible, is the most environmentally responsible option for ice melting, especially in areas where protecting vegetation, water sources, and infrastructure is a priority.
