Road salt’s effect on the environment
Road salt affects property and the environment, especially waterways
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Road salt is effective at helping keep ice off the roads, but presents environmental challenges.
Nearly every time there is snow or ice in the forecast, road salt is used. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. uses more than 20 million tons of road salt each year.
Road salt can have negative effects on property because it encourages rust formation on metal surfaces. That rust can damage your car and even railroad tracks.
Road salts effect on the environment is far more important. Salt is typically washed away by melting snow and ice runoff, or rainfall, and then carried into local waterways.
According to the EPA, one teaspoon of road salt can pollute five gallons of water. This obviously can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems.
Plants can become poisoned as the salt content in freshwater increases as a result of runoff. Saline water can stunt plant growth as it prevents nitrogen intake.
Fish are also affected by an increase in the salinity of water. Toxic algae blooms can form in salty water which could kill anything that eats the algae.
As the salt is washed into drains, it can also impact your drinking water. Salt can corrode metals. Corroded elements like lead can end up in water sources that flow directly into homes and businesses.
Copyright 2024 WSMV. All rights reserved.
