In areas that winter hits hard with a large amount of snow, there is always a debate over what method of snow and ice removal and prevention works best and has the least amount of negative side effects. Traditional snow removal methods have involved plowing mixed with some sort of abrasive material like sand, gravel, or salt. More modern methods being used of late include a various array of chemicals as well as chemically treatment of traditional abrasives.

The main complaint against chemically treating snowy and icy roadways is that the chemicals inflict damage on the cars that drive over them. To a certain extent this is true and most state road agencies recommend washing your car regularly if you have driven through a chemically treated area, cars should also be washed if they’ve driven an area treated with traditional road salt. For most of these modern chemicals to be allowed into use they must be 70% less corrosive than road salt.

The effects posed to the surroundings by traditional abrasive de-icing materials are almost all negative. Air quality, water quality and endangered animals can be hurt by the use of traditional abrasives, even more so when used in large quantities.

• Abrasives can cause damage to all vehicles driving over them, especially targeted are paint and windshields.

• As the snow melts and the water runs off the roadway, traditional abrasives may follow into nearby creeks, streams, rivers, or land and affect plant and fish populations.

• The act of thousands of cars driving over abrasives increases the amount of particles in the air, which can increase breathing difficulties for sensitive populations; both human and animal.

• The use of traditional abrasive de-icing materials requires at least seven times more material put down on a section of roadway compared to the use of more modern chemical agents.

On the other hand, the application of more modern chemicals to snowy and icy roadways does not have near the impact as the abrasive de-icers.

• The chemical de-icers are at least 70% less corrosive than traditional road salt.

• Chemical products used in snow and ice removal do not damage car windshields and paint the way abrasives do.

• Chemical usage has been environmentally tested and when used properly does not negatively impact air quality.

• Runoff of the more modern chemicals used in the de-icing process has been shown to not harm fish, animals or plant life.

In the end, the advancement of using environmentally safe chemicals to assist in the removal of snow and ice is just that, an advancement. Traditional abrasive usage, although still having a place as a traction agent, has very few positives when it comes to the removal of the offending snow and ice.