Deicers are crucial to the maintenance of safe roads. Unfortunately, many deicing chemicals pollute lakes and drinking water supplies and cause harm to plants and animals. If not handled appropriately, they can also damage carpeting, shoes, linoleum and tile floors, cement, and metal. When purchasingThe act and the function of responsibility for the acquisition of equipment, materials, supplies, and services. In a narrow sense, the term describes the process of buying. In a broader sense, the term describes determining the need, selecting the supplier, arriving at a fair and reasonable price and terms, preparing the contract or purchase order, and following up to ensure timely delivery. deicers, give consideration to the potential environmental and infrastructure impacts, cost, availability, effective temperature, and overall performance.
Environmental and infrastructure concerns regarding the traditional use of salt and sand have led to the development of alternative de-icing products. Although less corrosive or harmful to plant and aquatic systems, these products may contain nutrients that can lead to algal blooms during spring melts, may cost more per pound, and may be less readily available.
To effectively reduce environmental and infrastructure impacts, thoroughly train Public Works purchasing agents and plow operators. They should be educated on the potential impacts of the selected deicer and on proper rates of application. Proper training reduces the amount of product used, saving money and lessening impacts.
Anti-icing is another cost-effective approach that may reduce environmental impacts. By applying a liquid freeze-point depressant chemical to the road before a storm hits, roads can be kept relatively clear of snow and ice. This proactive approach allows the application of less product.
Minnesota Statutes § 160.215 restricts the use of salt and other harmful, corrosive chemicals on roadways. These chemicals are only permitted in areas where traction is critical, such as on hills, at intersections, or on high-speed or principal roadways.
Deicer performance is dependent on temperature. The following table provides performance information for several common deicers, including environmental and infrastructure considerations.
|
Deicer |
Lowest |
Corrosive |
Potential for |
Water |
| Salt | +15 | Yes | High | Yes |
|
Calcium |
-15 | Yes | Medium | Yes |
| Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) |
+15 | No | Low | No |
| Urea | +15 | Yes | Medium | Yes |
Although effective at melting ice, chloride or urea-based deicers can be corrosive, contribute to poor water quality, and cause damage to vegetation. CMA (whose main ingredient is dolomitic lime) is a biodegradable, non-corrosive product, making it one of the most environmentally preferable deicers available. Potassium acetate, an alternative deicer used on many airport runways in place of urea, may negatively impact water quality. Agri-based deicers, made from agricultural by-products, may contain nutrients from agricultural processing. This is not optimal, since spring melts can transfer the nutrients to nearby lakes and streams, and may lead to algal blooms.
It is a challenge to find an entirely benign deicer. However, through careful review of a product's effective temperature and consideration of its environmental impacts, your organization can identify a deicer that meets the majority of your priorities. Check out the prioritization tool on the Transportation Research Board's website. It allows you to weigh cost and performance, as well as impacts to the environment and infrastructure.
The Pacific Northwest Snow Fighters (PNS) updates their qualified product list frequently. Download the list from their Resources page. While conducting research on EPP deicers for King County, the Pollution Prevention Resource Center made the recommendation that King County select products from the PNS Qualified Products List that also meet additional environmental standards set by Montana. View the entire recommendations summary by clicking here.
Regardless of which deicer you select, it is best to use the least amount of product possible. The MPCA's winter maintenance trainings provide information on proper application of deicers. Visit the MPCA Road Salt Education website for more information.
Availability of deicers varies by product and year. The abnormally cold and snowy winter of 2007-2008 led to a salt shortage, as state and local transportation authorities tapped into their salt stockpiles to keep roads clear of ice and snow. Alternative deicers for roads may also have supply problems. Purchasing through state contracts or through a local government purchasing cooperative may alleviate concerns regarding adequate supply.
Since deicers for sidewalks and walkways are typically purchased in smaller quantities, availability of the alternative products is much more consistent. Many resalers and wholesalers offer a variety of alternative deicers, including CMA, potassium chloride, potassium acetate, and products made with beet extracts.
Road salt and other products containing chlorides and urea are initially cheaper to buy than environmentally preferable deicers. However, consider the increased long-term costs with chloride and urea use, including replacement of concrete and metal structures damaged by the freeze/thaw cycle and metal corrosion , as well as the potential cost for environmental damage.
CMA costs around $200 per ton. New methods of producing CMA, involving processing a blend of municipal waste and cheese whey, are being developed, and have the potential to significantly reduce the product's cost.
Develop your own bid specifications for environmentally preferable deicers by incorporating language that highlights your priorities. Use the Pacific Northwest Snow Fighters specifications to help construct your specs.
If you contract out your winter road maintenance, consider including the following specifications:
- For parking lot maintenance: Preferential consideration will be given to contractors who have attended the MPCA Parking Lot Training.
- For road maintenance: Preferential consideration will be given to contractors who have attended the MPCA Road Maintenance Training.
- All anti-icing and deicing products must be approved by [INSERT YOUR ORGANIZATION HERE] prior to application. Contractors may consult the PNS Approved Products List for acceptable product examples.
- Contractors must submit a winter maintenance policy that includes, but is not limited to, the following: standard operating procedures, a list of deicing chemicals, and prioritized snow removal actions (i.e. mechanical removal, anti-icing, salt application, etc.).
Minnesota State Contract
The state contract for alternative deicers includes potassium acetate, sodium acetate, and calcium and magnesium chlorides.
- D-156 (5) Deicers: Alternative Chemical Deicers
Hennepin County Purchasing Cooperative
Hennepin County's Calcium Chloride Pellets and Alternative Environmental Deicers contract contains several environmentally preferable deicers. Many organizations in the metro county area are eligible to purchase from this contract. View the contract by clicking here.
GlacialTechnologies
Malvern, OH
330/863-9531
www.anti-icers.com
Manufactures corn-based deicers and a non-chloride series of deicing products.
Envirotech Services
Greely, CO
800/369-3878
www.envirotechservices.com
Distributes of a number of anti-icing and deicing products including Apogee, a non-chloride based deicer.
Reinders
Elm Grove, WI
262/786-3300
www.reinders.com
Distributes a variety of environmentally preferable deicing product, including an organic beet juice formulation that can reduce salt usage by 30%.
Minnesota Department of Transportation
www.dot.state.mn.us
Information on MnDOT's snow and ice control approaches.
Pacific Northwest Snowfighters Association
www.wsdot.wa.gov/partners/pns
Evaluates and establishes specifications for products used in winter maintenance that emphasize safety, environmental preservation, infrastructure protection, cost-effectiveness and performance.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Road Salt Education Program
www.pca.state.mn.us/roadsalt
Provides educational information on reducing the use of road salt and promotes training opportunities for winter management.
Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)www.mnltap.umn.edu/ctap
Kathleen Schaefer
651/366-3575
Offering training to city and county maintenance crews on a variety of topics including winter road maintenance.
Transportation Research Board
www.trb.org
Includes the latest research on snow and ice control technologies for roads.
Annual Road Salt Symposium
www.freshwater.org
Bringing together environmental and transportation professionals to discuss the environmental impacts of winter maintenance and the innovations in transportation which reduce impacts.
Hosted by Freshwater Society
Partners: Fortin Consulting Inc, MPCA, LTAP
University of Minnesota Extension Service
www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/ygbriefs
/h456deicer.html
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Road Salt Education Program
www.pca.state.mn.us/roadsalt
Pacific Northwest Snowfighters Association
www.wsdot.wa.gov/partners/pns
Fortin Consulting Inc.
www.fortinconsulting.com
Connie Fortin
Connie@fortinconsulting.com
763/478-3606
"Aquatic Toxicity of Airfield-Pavement Deicer Materials and Implications for Airport Runoff"
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es8017732
Accessed on January 16, 2009
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide published by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, 4/00. The SWMCB includes members from the Minnesota metropolitan counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington, with ex-officio members from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Last Revised February 13, 2009 - 9:20am