The Problem With Rock Salt
Rock Salt is commonly used as a deicer on our sidewalks, driveways and steps but there are some major problems with using these halite crystals. Almost everyone stocks up on Rock Salt this time of the year. It's economical. It's easy to apply. But it is not the eco-friendly way to deice our sidewalks, steps and driveways. So what is wrong with Rock Salt. Discover why right here.
What is Rock Salt?
Halite, more commonly known as Rock Salt, is the natural form of Sodium Chloride (NaCl). In nature, halite form isometric crystals that usually colorless or white in color but can be light blue, dark blue, purple, pink, red, orange, yellow or gray. The actual color of halite crystals depends on the type and quantity of the impurities contained in them. The most common types of impurities are forms of the sulfates, halides, and borates.
The Five Major Problems With Rock Salt
The order in which I discuss these problems here is based on my own personal priorities, which may not be the same as yours. I will confess that I am more concerned about the safety and comfort of my pets and my neighbor's pets than I am the environment. You, on the other hand may be more concerned about the environment and place those reasons at the top of the list. No harm. No foul. All of the reasons I list here are equally good reasons to switch to more eco-friendly methods which I will discuss in future articles.
So what is the big difference between plain Rock Salt and pet friendly salts? It is all in the ingredients. Pet friendly salts use Magnesium, where as regular Rock Salt uses Potassium. Potassium irritates a pet's paws more than Magnesium and can cause serious illness or even death when ingested. Pet friendly salts are more expensive then regular Rock Salt but the safety and well being of your companions make the extra expense worth while.
Resources:
Handbook of Mineralogy
Rock Salt is commonly used as a deicer on our sidewalks, driveways and steps but there are some major problems with using these halite crystals. Almost everyone stocks up on Rock Salt this time of the year. It's economical. It's easy to apply. But it is not the eco-friendly way to deice our sidewalks, steps and driveways. So what is wrong with Rock Salt. Discover why right here.
What is Rock Salt?
Halite, more commonly known as Rock Salt, is the natural form of Sodium Chloride (NaCl). In nature, halite form isometric crystals that usually colorless or white in color but can be light blue, dark blue, purple, pink, red, orange, yellow or gray. The actual color of halite crystals depends on the type and quantity of the impurities contained in them. The most common types of impurities are forms of the sulfates, halides, and borates.
The Five Major Problems With Rock Salt
The order in which I discuss these problems here is based on my own personal priorities, which may not be the same as yours. I will confess that I am more concerned about the safety and comfort of my pets and my neighbor's pets than I am the environment. You, on the other hand may be more concerned about the environment and place those reasons at the top of the list. No harm. No foul. All of the reasons I list here are equally good reasons to switch to more eco-friendly methods which I will discuss in future articles.
- Rock Salt irritates the paws of our four-legged companions and causes systemic distress when they lick their paws to ease the burning sensation. Hundreds of cats and dogs die every year from ingesting Rock Salt.
- Rock Salt, like deadly antifreeze, has a sweetness that attracts animals to it which also leads them to being hit by vehicles when used on roads or close to roads. Animals are so attracted to the taste that they forget about the dangers that being in traffic presents to them. They become almost hypnotized by the sweetness of Rock Salt and put themselves in harms way.
- Rock Salt breaks down chemically in the soil and allows heavy metals to enter the water table. This is especially dangerous in rural areas where people get their water from their own well instead of a municipal source of purified water.
- Rock Salt build up on grass and other plants prevent them from absorbing moisture and from being able to take other mineral and nutrients that they need to survive and reproduce.
- Rock Salt does not disappear but builds up in the soil just as many chemical fertilizers do and presents an ongoing problem even after the snow and ice ends and we stop using Rock Salt until the next snow and ice season overtakes us.
So what is the big difference between plain Rock Salt and pet friendly salts? It is all in the ingredients. Pet friendly salts use Magnesium, where as regular Rock Salt uses Potassium. Potassium irritates a pet's paws more than Magnesium and can cause serious illness or even death when ingested. Pet friendly salts are more expensive then regular Rock Salt but the safety and well being of your companions make the extra expense worth while.
Resources:
Handbook of Mineralogy