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CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION, September 2002
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Is Road Salt Being Banned?
In December 2001, Environment Canada declared road salt to be detrimental to the environment and recommended that it be designated as a toxic substance under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).
This recommendation came from a five-year study conducted by Environment Canada on the environmental implications of using salt as a de-icing agent for road maintenance in the winter and as a dust suppressant on gravel roads in the summer. The study found that while road salt posed no threat to human health, it did have a negative effect on soil, groundwater, rivers and streams, vegetation, fish and wildlife.
The findings from the study do not mean that road salt will be banned, but they do mean that its storage and use will be controlled and regulated. Over the next two years, Environment Canada will work with representatives from the provinces and territories, municipalities and roadway maintenance organizations to develop guidelines for its storage, spreading and disposal. The guidelines are to be implemented 18 months later.
Salt management measures being considered include:
- reducing losses at storage sites;
- improving application technologies and weather forecasting tools-both of which could lead to a reduced use of salt; and
- using alternative products when appropriate.
While it is true that the use of road salt has negative effects on the environment, as well as contributing to corrosion in roads and bridges, it is effective and inexpensive, and is the current de-icer of choice of most road authorities. The approach being taken by Environment Canada is expected to reduce these harmful effects without having to resort to a complete ban, and without compromising road and driver safety.
For further information, visit the Environment Canada Web site at http://www.ec.gc.ca.
