A growing body of research suggests that road salt contributes to metal corrosion and can have a negative impact on ecosystems. Despite the introduction of some successful alternatives, many Canadian cities are still using salt because it’s cheaper.

  • @NarrativeBearOP
    7•4 days ago

    Its interesting that any discussions about road salt always start with cars being the leading argument. Car dependency is so intertwined in our current society.

    Also, worth noting salt causes corrosion to cars, infrastructure, and not to mention in large quantities causes negative environmental effects, but gravel has a chance of chipping my windshield?!

    The different between salt and gravel damage to a car is just time span. Us humans are just really bad at perceiving long term effects. So naturally gravel being what cases damage sooner to a car is assumed to be far worse.

    Now if you think of snow removal on sidewalks and walkways. Gravel and sand, or just compacting the snow like they do in Sweden is just as effective.

    Here is some videos of snow removal at the pedestrian level, notice no salt is used on pedestrian infrastructure such as walkways or trails.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhx-26GfCBU

    • @[email protected]
      3•5 days ago

      Tell that to my local transit authority. With the amount of salt they use at bus stations you would think the concrete itself needed a daily dose of salt to survive.