Prospectus

Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Levi Norman A Parkland stairway covered in salt at resembles a path from planet Hoth. Levi NORMAN/Prospectus

Have you noticed the white roads and crunchy walkways around Parkland? That's not from the snow, folks. Parkland is using excessive and harmful amounts of salt (ice melt) this winter and something should be done about it.

If you look around Parkland, there are piles of ice melt left and right; staircases covered and parking lots enveloped. If Parkland used about half of the amount of salt used in the past month, sidewalks and parking lots could have easily been cleared and our salt supply would be much more abundant, saving time and salt that could be used for treacherous conditions in the future.

Do you remember last year when Champaign County had a salt shortage before the winter weather conditions were over? Excessive use is probably the main reason why. While we are all for not having to drive a snowmobile to work, or not ice skating to class on ice covered walkways, there is only so much salt you need to put down to get the job done and keep people safe.

"Generally there is a perception that you need to cover the entire sidewalk with ice melt for it to work," said Rich Otterstrom, chemist for CP Industries in Salt Lake City, Utah. "In fact, ice melt dissolves in liquid and spreads out with normal use," he said.

Believe it or not, sodium chloride, aka table salt, used in excessive amounts can be harmful to the environment, children, pets and even your home. What exactly does it do? NaCl is very cheap and effective in melting snow and ice to approximately 12 degrees, however it can in fact damage soil, plants and metals. Not to mention the horrible white residue it leaves on cars and clothing.

Roots and foliage of plants can be burned from excessive use of salts, especially if there is no rainfall to help wash away or leach the chemicals, but the damage does not appear until the following spring. Sidewalks and wood flooring can be cracked and damaged from overuse as well.

Salts can burn and irritate eyes and skin of children and cause internal problems if swallowed according to pediatrician groups.

Leading veterinarian groups such as the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association warn that exposure to salts and salt-based ice melting products, a common occurrence, can cause dogs severe dermatitis, inflammation of the paws and serious gastrointestinal problems including vomiting and internal burns of the mouth and digestive tract.

In the future, we hope to see the roads and walkways clear of snow and ice. We also hope to not see huge piles of salt sitting around weeks after ice and snow have been cleared. Wouldn't you like to see beautiful plants and nice (un-cracked) sidewalks around Parkland this spring?

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