Dear EarthTalk: Are road salts and other de-icing chemicals bad for the environment? And if, so are greener alternatives available?

Traditional de-icers, particularly chloride-based compounds such as sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride, can have various detrimental effects on the environment. According to the Minnesota Stormwater Manual, chloride-based de-icers contribute to soil degradation by reducing soil permeability and fertility, and by increasing soil alkalinity, which adversely affects plant growth and soil stability. These de-icers contaminate groundwater and surface water, leading to toxic conditions for aquatic life due to elevated salt levels. Vegetation damage is another issue, as chloride...