By: Mira Kaufman

As this year’s winter slowly becomes a frozen land, there will be a great need for de-icing methods. Stores across the midwest are selling salt, sand, and underpayment installed heaters which make every day activities a lot safer but are they worth the effects on our earth?

Salt, one of the most popular de-icing methods, is used to melt ice, creating grip and friction on pavements. To use ice, a person, machine, or a special truck will sprinkle road salt onto roads and sidewalks, which will allow patches of ice to melt. A very efficient way of making cities safer in the winter.

According to the EPA, road salt can greatly damage environments by contaminating drinking water, kill wildlife, increase erosion in soil, and cause damage to properties. Road salt is the most common substance for de-icing roads and sidewalks and is made of sodium chloride. The EPA also claims that “Nearly half a million tons is used annually in Massachusetts alone for winter road maintenance.”

In cities, salt must also be spread by trucks and machines that run on gas and oils. With these trucks constantly running, pollutants get added to the air at a much more consistent rate than many other vehicles. These trucks, and the damage caused by ice, can lead to high prices for families, communities, and cities too. These costs can come from damage caused by the chemicals in salt, but also can be found in the higher price of maintenance. According to Bridge Stone Tire, the damage of salt is estimated to cost highway and automobile industries $3.5 to $7 billion per year in the U.S. This price has continued to increase every year.

Stones and sand are also popular de-icing methods but they cause issues of their own. While sand appears harmless because it looks as though it fits into the environment, it is known to clog runoff drains and pipes. The sand used for de-icing may also be non-native to the area, causing a change in the environment and plants that can rely on the soil with its new properties.

Many newer built homes and buildings apply heaters under their pavement to not allow ice or snow to stick. This method of de-icing is the safest for humans, animals, and cars, and can be very environmentally friendly too. While the underground heaters do in fact take a decent amount of energy to use, if the energy is coming from home solar powers, or environmentally friendly city energy sources, then this is a great way to make winters safe while staying friendly to the environment. Unfortunately, this method is quite expensive because the heaters must be installed under the pavement which makes it a luxury, and not an option for many homes and buildings.