Article by Ted Wiseman, ANR Educator Perry County.

Chemical de-icers will help remove ice, but can also cause damage to the surrounding environment. Over application of chemical de-icers can shorten the life span of concrete surfaces, corrode metal railings, pollute streams and lakes through run-off water, damage soils and stunt or kill plants adjacent to de-iced areas. Manual snow-removal followed by the application of an abrasive such as damp sand to create traction can keep sidewalks safe without the problems associated with de-icers. Using de-icers wisely, or replacing them with manual removal and abrasives, can minimize the potential for damage while keeping steps and sidewalks safe. Continue reading Using De-icers this Winter →