Managing Impact

All chloride-based products (sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, etc.) have similar potential to accelerate corrosion. If metal is to be used in spreading equipment, consult the Calcium Chloride Handbook for information on appropriate materials of construction. 

When applying calcium chloride, avoid direct application to bare metal. Thoroughly wash vehicles and application equipment after use.

Deicing Tips

Implement strategies to limit the amount of deicing chemicals used by:

• matching deicer application rates to temperature conditions
• reducing accumulation of snow and ice on roadways through the use of snow fences or other measures
• predicting when to apply deicers
• improving the application of deicers with better distribution systems
• maximizing the effectiveness of deicers through prewetting
• allowing deicers sufficient time to work before plowing and reapplication

Deicing Tips

Ensure asphalt and concrete surfaces are at least one year old and were designed, constructed, and adequately cured for winter weather conditions and deicer usage before applying deicer. Deicers should not be used on precast steps, masonry, or existing concrete that has exposed aggregate, is precast, prestressed, chipped, cracked, spalled, or weathered. 

Concrete that is air-entrained, mixed, placed, and cured according to the recommendations of the American Concrete Institute Committee 201 is resistant to scaling damage. Calcium chloride will not chemically attack asphalt or concrete; however, the re-freezing of absorbed melt water may cause weak, porous surfaces to spall or scale. 

Learn more about deicers and concrete impact and proper application rates.

Deicing Tips

Limit exposure to pets as much as possible by 1) storing deicers out of reach, 2) using proper (minimal) application rates necessary to melt ice and snow, and 3) taking additional precautionary measures (i.e., have dogs wear paw booties when outside).

Pets exposed to chloride-based deicers may experience mild reactions depending on the type and amount of exposure. 

Learn more about deicers and pets, proper storage of deicers, and proper application rates.

Dust Control Tips

Limit exposure to pets during or shortly after application. Short term exposure to paws is essentially nonirritating; however, pets with more sensitive skin may see some skin irritation.

Deicing Tips

Similar to fertilizer, any chloride-based deicer should not be over-applied as it could result in damage. Do not apply directly to grassy areas or vegetation. 

Under typical application conditions, calcium chloride pellets are less damaging to existing turf than almost all other deicers and yield better re-seeding germination rates the following Fall.

In a 1996 study, “The Effects of Deicing Chemicals on Turfgrass”,¹ the Horticulture Department of Iowa State University compared the effects of urea/calcium chloride blends, potassium chloride, urea, rock salt, magnesium chloride hexahydrate, and calcium chloride pellets on Kentucky bluegrass. After a winter season of deicer application, the study showed that calcium chloride pellets were generally less damaging to existing turf than almost all the other deicers and yielded better re-seeding germination rates the following Fall. Only a blend of urea and calcium chloride fared better – and urea alone did worse.

Learn more about deicers and environmental impact and proper application rates.

Dust Control Tips

Overexposure to chlorides can injure trees and other foliage. However, under typical application conditions, calcium chloride will not damage grass or vegetation adjacent to a road where deicer has been applied. On four projects studied by the USDA Forest Service, samples taken from trees close to treated roads showed some increase in chloride levels but not in an amount posing a long-term threat to vegetation, and photos of the trees taken over a period of two years revealed no discernable difference in the trees.²

Learn more about proper dust control application rates.

¹The Effects of Deicing Chemicals on Turfgrass, D. Minner and B. Bingaman, Iowa State University, 1996.

²Surface-Aggregate Stabilization with Chloride Materials, USDA Forest Service, S. Monlux and M.R. Mitchell, December 2006.

Calcium chloride is classified as "practically non-toxic to aquatic organisms.”¹ In fact, the calcium component of the material is a natural component of nearly all natural waters. In excessive amounts, chloride salts can be harmful, but impacts to ground and surface waters can be limited with proper application rates and procedures.

Deicing Tips

No deicer can claim to be completely harmless to the environment. The effect of deicer runoff on surface water and groundwater has been the focus of a great deal of research by government agencies and academics. The table below shows that all of the commonly employed deicers have environmental drawbacks.²

Limit the amount of ice melter used to help protect the natural environment from excessive chlorides introduced. When weighed against the need to maintain sidewalks, steps, entryways, driveways, and parking lots in safe condition, many researchers and government agencies emphasize the importance of using smaller quantities of deicers and to increase the efficiency of mechanical ice removal. 

Learn more about deicers and environmental impact and proper application rates.

Dust Control Tips

There is no significant impact to waters adjacent to dust control applications when proper application rates and procedures are used. A study undertaken by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service measured chloride levels in the Tucannon River in western Washington before and after calcium chloride was applied on the adjacent Tucannon River Road and found there was no significant change in calcium or chloride levels in the river.³

¹Safety Data Sheet: LIQUIDOW® Technical Grade Calcium Chloride Solution, Section 12. Ecological Information, 29-Nov-2021.

²NCHRP Report 577: Guidelines for the Selection of Snow and Ice Control Materials to Mitigate Environmental Impacts. National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, 2007.

³Surface-Aggregate Stabilization with Chloride Materials, USDA Forest Service, S. Monlux and M.R. Mitchell, December 2006.

If ice dams are forming on your roof, OxyChem recommends that you hire a trained professional to treat ice dam-related problems as well as investigate insulation and attic ventilation best practices that may prevent ice dams.

There are ice melt products designed to be thrown onto the roof where ice dams have built-up. Most common ice melt products contain chlorides, including products like calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. While these products are effective in melting ice, water evaporates at a slower rate and remains damp longer than naturally melting water. 

If you use ice melt products on your roof, water from melting ice can corrode roofing nails and steel gutters, and could get under shingles, potentially damaging wood products. Therefore, you must take precautions to maintain proper drainage. You should prevent the water from draining directly onto vegetation, including shrubs, bushes and evergreens.

OxyChem does not recommend using deicing products on wood surfaces. Deicers could potentially soak into untreated and some treated wood surfaces, resulting in damp spots that may be difficult to remove. The variety of wood treatments used on exterior wood surfaces makes it difficult to predict the effect of deicers on those surfaces.

OxyChem calcium chloride products deliver reliable, effective deicing performance on concrete surfaces that are at least one year old and properly designed, constructed, and cured for winter conditions. When concrete meets these standards, it is better equipped to handle deicing applications. Surfaces that are more porous or not fully cured may be more vulnerable to natural freeze–thaw cycles, where absorbed moisture can refreeze and potentially lead to spalling or scaling.

For expert guidance, we recommend consulting the American Concrete Institute Committee 201.

OxyChem calcium chloride deicers are not recommended for application on masonry (stone, brick, and mortar joints). 

Melt water from deicing may soak into pores and cracks. The absorbed melt water may re-freeze, creating a large amount of pressure beneath the surface of the stone. If the structure of the stone is not strong enough to withstand this pressure, the stone could flake or powder. This type of damage depends on the porosity and strength of the stone, not on the type of deicer used to melt snow and ice. Because there are many different kinds and grades of stone, OxyChem cannot predict where damage may or may not occur. 

When using chloride-based deicers, chloride ions can permeate porous concrete. When chloride, oxygen and moisture come together on the surface of unprotected steel reinforcement (rebar) embedded in concrete, corrosion can result. This corrosion can cause a loss of the bond between the concrete and the rebar and reduce the rebar cross-sectional area. Both have the potential to result in serious structural problems. Additionally, rust formation on rebar places pressure on the concrete that can result in cracking, spalling and delamination. 

However, options are available to protect rebar against corrosion. Companies and trade organizations with expertise in concrete construction technology are familiar with options available for new or rehabilitated structures. With support from these experts, each user should determine if application of chloride-based deicers is appropriate for their given situation.

No chloride-based deicer is completely pet-safe, but there are a few tips you can follow to help keep your furry friends healthy around deicers.

DO:

• Apply deicing products properly. Follow directions for application and only apply as much as needed.
• Wipe your pet’s paws after coming inside.
• Consider the use of paw wax or dog booties, particularly for those pets with sensitive paws.
• Store deicing products out of the reach of pets. 

DON'T:

• Let your pet eat deicer on the ground.
• Let your pet eat snow that may have been treated with a deicer.

For further information, please see the OxyChem document, Use of Chloride Deicers Around Pets.

Always follow the directions for proper deicer use. Do not over-apply deicer, especially near entryways. Foot traffic through slush, melt water, and residual deicer can track the material indoors. 

Use effective entrance mats that absorb and trap snowmelt, slush, or residual deicer. If residual deicer is tracked onto hard floors, it should be cleaned up with warm, fresh water as soon as possible. For example, soak a mop or towel in fresh water, wipe the surface and dry thoroughly. If a bucket is used for rinsing the mop or towel, the water in the bucket should be changed out frequently for best results.

For additional information, see Deicer Tracking and Indoor Care.

If deicers are tracked onto your carpet, quickly clean it. Most deicers are completely water soluble and are easily removed with a carpet cleaning machine using only hot water. After cleaning, it is important to remove as much of the water as possible, and the carpet must be allowed to dry.

Use of detergent is generally not recommended unless the detergent is pH neutral or citric-based (slightly acidic) and the carpet is thoroughly rinsed after washing.

For additional information, see Deicer Tracking and Indoor Care.

Consult the most recent reports from the following American Concrete Institute (ACI) committees for information about the amounts of calcium chloride that are allowed in concrete under various exposure conditions, and conditions in which calcium chloride should not be used. Relevant reports include:

ACI 201 Durability of Concrete
ACI 212 Admixtures for Concrete
ACI 222 Corrosion of Metals in Concrete
ACI 306 Cold Weather Concreting
ACI 318 Standard Building Code for Reinforced Concrete

Yes. According the websites of three common brands (Trex®, TimberTech®, and DuraLife®), calcium chloride can be used as an ice melter on this type of decking material.

For additional information on responsible use, see managing impact.

Noticeable corrosion is unlikely to occur on vehicles driven on unpaved surfaces treated with calcium chloride. However, calcium chloride for dust suppression is present in small amounts and can stay bound in the soil in the road. Therefore, it is recommended to wash vehicles and equipment if you suspect the vehicle has encountered calcium chloride.

Likelihood of damage to vegetation and grassy areas along roadsides can be significantly limited if dust control applications follow current recommendations and standard practices.

For additional information, see Use Responsibly - Managing Impact. 

A 2008 study by researchers at Colorado State University¹ and a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service² concluded that the impact of magnesium chloride is no less than other chlorides.

The chloride content of liquid material is determined by the concentration of the solution, and the molecular weight of the salt. For example, a 30% solution of magnesium chloride has about the same chloride content as a 35% calcium chloride solution.

Equally important in determining environmental impact is the application rate of the product. A more concentrated product can achieve the same results at lower application rates. While magnesium chloride is commercially available in 30% solutions, LIQUIDOW® is typically applied at concentrations of 35% or 38% for dust control and road base stabilization applications, which means less calcium chloride may be required to achieve the same result. 

For additional information, see calcium chloride vs. magnesium chloride.

¹Condition of Soils and Vegetation Along Roads Treated with Magnesium Chloride for Dust Suppression, B.A. Goodrich, R.D Koski, and W.R. Jacobi, March, 2008.

²Dust Palliative Selection and Application Guide, USDA Forest Service, P. Bolander and A. Yamada, November, 1999.