In large doses, many popular snow and ice removal methods can be harmful to wildlife, plants, streams, and rivers.
When trying remove ice from outdoor surfaces, be sure to keep these tips in mind:
- Look for pet-safe deicer made from calcium magnesium acetate, potassium chloride, or calcium chloride to melt the ice around your home or business.
- Avoid products containing urea, which contains nitrogen — a harmful pollutant.
- A three-to-one mixture of vinegar and water is a cheap, non-toxic recipe to help prevent ice build-up on your car windows.
- Never use fertilizer as a deicer.
- Check the packaging and always be sure to use the appropriate amount of deicer. A handful per yard is often all that is needed.
Learn more about how snow and ice-melt can affect waterways from the Chesapeake Bay Program.
Article provided by: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
