00238136

Component

http://onlinepubs.trb.org...s/hrr/1973/425/425-004.pdf

THE USE OF HIGHWAY DEICING CHEMICALS, MAINLY SODIUM CHLORIDE AND CALCIUM CHLORIDE, ON STATE HIGHWAYS IN MASSACHUSETTS HAS INCREASED NEARLY EIGHTFOLD IN THE LAST 15 YEARS. DURING THE WINTER OF 1970-71, A RECORD HIGH OF 209,000 TONS WAS APPLIED AT ABOUT 22.4 TONS PER LANE-MILE. DEICING SALTS WERE ALSO APPLIED TO LOCAL STREETS. IN SOME LOCALITIES, THE CONCENTRATION OF CHLORIDE HAS INCREASED BEYOND THE 250 MG/LITER RECOMMENDED BY THE U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE AS AN UPPER LIMIT FOR DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES. WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED, LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITIES HAVE SOMETIMES CONDEMNED THE SUPPLY, AND THE PRACTICE OF HIGHWAY SALTING HAS THUS RECEIVED MUCH CRITICISM. THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS FORESAW A NEED FOR DATA CONCERNING THE DISPERSION OF SALT IN THE ENVIRONMENT. IN 1965, A COOPERATIVE PROGRAM WAS BEGUN TO MONITOR THE CONCENTRATION OF CHLORIDE IN GROUNDWATER ALONG STATE HIGHWAYS. RESULTS ARE GIVEN IN GRAPHICAL FORM, INDICATING THE CHLORIDE CONCENTRATION IN WELLS AT THREE TEST SITES. THE DATA PROVIDE A MEANS FOR ANALYSIS AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE FACTORS INFLUENCING THE MIGRATION OF DEICING CHEMICALS UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS.

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01410341

p. 17-22

1973

Highway Research Record

0309021545

Digital/other

Figures (7) ; References (3)

Calcium chloride; Chlorides; Concentration (Chemistry); Deicers (Equipment); Drinking water; Environmental impacts; Groundwater; Sodium chloride; Sodium chloride; State highways

Concentration; Deicers

Massachusetts

Environment; Geotechnology; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment

TRIS, TRB

Aug 15 1973 12:00AM

• DE-ICING CHEMICALS AND ABRASIVES: STATE OF THE ART
• HIGHWAY SALT: SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
• MANAGERIAL ASPECTS OF A CHEMICAL REDUCTION PROGRAM
• POTENTIAL IMPACT OF SODIUM CHLORIDE AND CALCIUM CHLORIDE DE-ICING MIXTURES ON ROADSIDE SOILS AND PLANTS WITH DISCUSSIONS
• ROAD SALT USE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
• SOME EFFECTS OF DE-ICING CHEMICALS ON ROADSIDE TREES
• SOME EFFECTS OF DE-ICING ON IRONDEQUOIT BAY AND ITS DRAINAGE BASIN
• USE OF DE-ICING SALT-POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT