STUDIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE DEICER IN COLORADO

The overall conclusion of the study is that application of magnesium chloride deicer having a chemical composition and application rate similar to those of 1997-98 is highly unlikely to cause or contribute to environmental damage at distances greater than 20 yards from the roadway. Even very close to the roadway, the potential of magnesium chloride deicer to cause environmental damage is probably much smaller than that of other factors related to road use and maintenance, including pollution of highway surfaces by vehicles and use of salt and sand mixtures to promote traction in winter. Magnesium chloride deicer may offer net environmental benefits if its use leads to a reduction in the quantity of salt and sand applied to roadways. The environmental safety of magnesium chloride deicer depends, however, on low concentrations of contaminants and avoidance of rust inhibitors containing phosphorus. Appropriate specifications for vendors and routine testing can insure the continued environmental acceptability of magnesium chloride deicers.

• Record URL:
  https://www.codot.gov/programs/research/pdfs/1999/magchlorideenveffects.pdf/
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Western Environmental Analysts

  2525 Arapahoe, Suite E4-282
  Boulder, CO  United States  80302

  Colorado Department of Transportation

  4201 E Arkansas Avenue
  Denver, CO  United States  80222

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Lewis Jr, W M
• Publication Date: 1999-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 121 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceptance tests; Benefits; Contaminants; Deicing chemicals; Environmental impacts; Magnesium chloride; Phosphorus; Specifications
• Geographic Terms: Colorado
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I62: Winter Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00794831
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CDOT-DTD-R-99-10,, Final Report
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 29 2000 12:00AM