H2O Radio: The Hidden Costs of Road Salts

The state of Colorado, along with most states in cold climates do a balancing act of what chemicals to put down on roads to keep drivers safe, but reduce the impact on the environment.  By its efficacy, cost, and impact on the environment, Magnesium Chloride has been used most. But in the eyes of many industry watchers, chlorides are economical only if you’re looking at purchase price. There are indirect costs such as corrosion to bridges and cars, and the longer term costs to remove or remediate salts that accumulate in surface and groundwater. According to a scientist who’s studying these issues, as human beings our attention is too focused on the short term.

H20 Radio‘s Jamie Sudler and Frani Halperin report. Visit H20 Radio for more images and a full transcript.