Why doesn't the salt that they put on the roads poison the environment?

Question

You would think that the salty runoff produced when the ice and snow melts would seep into the ground and kill the grass or kill fish in the river.

And what about all of the sand? It has to go somewhere too. Doesn't it clog storm drains?

I'm surprised at the people who think that salt isn't poisonous in large amounts. Try pouring salt onto the grass in your yard, or into your fresh water fish bowl, and see what happens.

And I know that salt doesn't clog storm drains. I said SAND. It looks like most people answering the question don't know what they are talking about.

I heard on the news this morning that the District of Columbia will start using beet juice instead. It is supposed to have a lower melting point than salt water.
http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071205/BREAKING01/71205012

Answer 1

It does and it does.

Answer 2

The consequence is below maximum folk think of. as long as salted snow isn't plowed right into a bypass, the quantity of salt is purely too low to have any physiological consequence on the bypass existence. on the verge, the end results of salt is taken into consideration by using planners. the section right this moment adjoining to the roadway is planted with salt-tolerant grasses. trees, that are oftentimes the least salt-tolerant, are planted in direction of the fringe of the main staggering-of-way, the place they gets the least salt. provided the salt is saved proper, there ought to be no perceptible consequence on the groundwater.

Answer 3

I have seen where the salt run-off is so bad that you can't plant grass in those areas. You have to remove the top layer of dirt and put new dirt and grass in; only to have it die again. I don't think the sand is as bad. Luckily there are new salt alternatives that help keep your lawn healthy. It might cost more but at least you don't have to reseed your lawn.

Answer 4

It does. It kills the graa, but they replace it so you don't notice. When was the last time you drank form a natural creek, river, lake or spring? It sticks to everything. It bleaches the earth so vegetation won't grow. It kills trees but the cities plant new saplings, so people don't really notice. But most places they put it is on highways, and on busy streets so people aren't getting it on their lawns, so once again people aren't really noticing the damage. But talk to someone who lives on a busy street and chances are their lawn isn't too healthy after winter. If it can rust right through a car, what do you think it's doing to living organisms? But it's cheap...so according to the gouvernment, who cares?

Answer 5

You'd be surprised at how quickly run-off makes its way to the ocean.

As for killing the grass, if you put it directly over top of your grass, it probably will.

As for clogging storm drains, salt is water soluble and isn't a big problem.

Answer 6

It does. It's very bad for the environment. In fact, in some areas, they won't salt the roads because of it.

Answer 7

the salt that is used to melt ice and snow on our roads and highways DOES affect/pollute the environment.

Answer 8

Because salt is a natural mineral (from the enviroment) called "halite".

Answer 9

because that salt is different from NaCl. it contains chlorides

Answer 10

How do you know that it isn't poisoning our enviroment? That is the question!

Answer 11

Because Salt "is" from the environment.