The most commonly used and economical deicer is sodium chloride, better known as salt; 15 million tons of deicing salt are used in the U.S. each year. Salt is effective because it lowers the freezing point of water, preventing ice and snow from bonding to the pavement and allowing easy removal by plows. However, the use of salt is not without problems. Salt contributes to the corrosion of vehicles and infrastructure, and can damage water bodies, ground water, and roadside vegetation. These issues have led to the investigation and use of other chemicals as substitutes for and supplements to salt. Other deicing chemicals include magnesium chloride, potassium acetate, calcium chloride, calcium magnesium acetate, and potassium chloride (these are described below).

Abrasives such as sand are often used in conjunction with deicing chemicals to provide traction for vehicles, particularly on corners, intersections, and steep grades. However, when sand is overused, it often ends up in the environment, either as dust particles that contribute to air pollution or in runoff to streams and rivers.

Airports present another area of concern with respect to deicing chemicals. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that aircraft surfaces be deiced and antiiced to ensure the safety of passengers. However, when performed without prevention measures in place, airport deicing operations can contribute to contamination of ground water and surface water supplies.

Storage

Manual for Deicing Chemicals: Storage and Handling. The report contains the results of a study conducted for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to minimize the loss to the environment of chemicals used in controlling snow and ice on highways. Based on the best current practices for highway maintenance as observed during two years of study, practical guidelines are presented for good practice in the storage and handling of deicing chemicals.