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Ice Melt Ingredients & Chemicals That Affect You

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Ice Melt Ingredients

Ice melt products will vary tremendously in terms of their ingredients. There are plenty of different ways to melt ice and plenty of different chemicals that are commonly used in ice melt products. Some ice melt ingredients are more common than others and customers can trust that certain generic brands will utilize a certain range of chemicals. However, customers can always look into the wide range of ice melt products that are out there in order to find the best products on the market today.

Drawbacks

A great deal of the most common ice melt products that are on the consumer market today use chemical compounds with a chlorine component. Some ice melt products will mainly use sodium chloride, while others will use calcium, potassium, or magnesium chloride. Manufacturing these types of ingredients is less costly than manufacturing and distributing other ingredients, but the chlorine component carries its own set of drawbacks.

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Harm Within Reach

Many people learn to accept the residues from these sorts of chlorine-based ice melt products as a fact of life and an inevitable part of winter living. However, there are also concerns that these sorts of snowmelt products may be harmful to pets and young children. Children are prone to touching unclean surfaces and licking their hands. It’s even possible that some of these residues may irritate the skin. Some parents or pet owners may pick different varieties of ice melt products simply due to safety concerns. People need not put up with these kinds of health risks or the inconveniences that the chlorine-based residues can create.

One such example is Della, a house owner with two energetic children and a pet dog. To keep her driveway and walkway free from slippery ice, she went to buy an ice melt. As winter snow arrived, she started using her new ice melt on the walkways and driveways. During the weekend, both the children and the pet went out in the snow to play.

After a long snowy week, children got the opportunity to play out in the snow. They took their furry friend along to have a joyful time in their front yard, where they spent hours playing with snowballs and running around. By evening they started complaining of itching. Their palms were itching and both of them were getting restless because of it. Della was unsure how to help them and called her elderly neighbor and said, ‘I don’t know what happened to Nick and Sophia? They are complaining of itchy palms.’Her neighbor asked her whether the children had touched any chemical or had gone near any poisonous plant. 

Della told her that for the whole morning, children were in the front yard playing with snow. The wise lady explained to her that it must be something in the snow that had caused it. Della replied in affirmative and told her,’ I spread ice melt in the snow and then did not clean it thinking that it must be safe as mentioned on the label.’

Finally, she realized that it was not a plant or snow that had caused this itching but the toxic ice melt chemicals. She also found that even her pet’s paws are burnt because of running in chemically treated snow.

Get ready for winter with the ONLY Pet Safe Ice Melt you can trust

What Are Various Ice Melt Ingredients?

Della decided to do her research on various ice melter ingredients. She was adamant to find safe ingredients for her family and pet. Here is what she found out;

Sodium Chloride Or Rock Salt

Salt is the most common and least priced deicer, and it is used on many public pathways and roadways. Salt comes in a variety of forms, but one of the most prevalent is sodium chloride, which is quite similar to the salt we put on our food. Both physical structures and materials, as well as the ecosystem, are harmed by rock salt. 

One of the most frequently asked questions is does rock salt damage concrete?  We all know the answer, yes it does. It should not be used on concrete since it can damage both old and new concrete, asphalt, stone, and brick. Even little amounts of this salt can leak into neighboring soil, changing its makeup and hurting grass and plants. It is also toxic to pets and can contaminate groundwater. It can also cause skin or eye irritation. 

Many ice melts have this salt alone or as in a blend. For example, Paw Thaw ice melter ingredients are CMA and sodium chloride. It claims to be pet safe but Della was sure that anything with sodium chloride is never safe for kids and safe.

Get ready for winter with the ONLY Pet Safe Ice Melt you can trust

Pet Safe Ice Melt Ingredients

Ice melt products that use glycols are becoming increasingly popular as well. Safe Paw for instance, is a new ice melt product that was manufactured without any salt, in sharp contrast to many other ice melt products. As such, Safe Paw does not have the toxicity of many competing varieties of ice melt products. Consumers that are aware of health and ecological issues should consider ice melt products like Safe Paw. The ingredients in many of these alternatives will produce excellent results, which may rival those of the chlorine-based products.

Calcium Chloride has a melting temperature of -10 degrees Fahrenheit and emits heat as it melts. This property allows it to act more quickly than other ice melt. It also has less of an impact on the environment than other chloride-based ice melts. It is available in liquid, flakes, and pellets. 

Calcium chloride ice melt corrodes metal and destroys carpets and tiles. It is less damaging to plants than other chemicals, but excessive use can harm them.

Calcium chloride melts ice quickly, but it attracts moisture, resulting in damp and slippery surfaces. Thus, increasing the probability of slip and fall incidents. It is toxic to pets and can cause tongue and throat burn, excessive thirst, vomiting, and stomach pain. If touched without proper gloves and handwashing, the chemical might irritate the skin and eyes.

Another major disadvantage of calcium chloride ice melt is its relatively high price making it a less appealing and realistic option for consumers who need a lot of ice melt.

Potassium chloride, or KCl, is similar to potassium-based fertilizer formulae and is hailed as good for plant health. Except for pets with kidney illness, it is more environmentally friendly. 

At 25 degrees Fahrenheit, it has a greater working temperature. It is more expensive, with prices ranging from $20 to $50 for every 50 pounds. Potassium chloride is similarly difficult to come by on its own. Thus, it is more common in ice melt mixtures. It is commonly blended with more toxic chemicals thus, making it an environmental threat and increasing its corrosiveness.

Magnesium chloride ice melt does work in extreme colds. When the temperature falls below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, the melting process slows dramatically and may even come to a halt. Hence, it becomes useless to use this product in this temperature range.

Moreover, magnesium chloride ice melt is harmful to pets, children, wildlife, and even adults. It can cause eye irritation, skin irritation, and burn when touched. If you inhale the fumes of this chemical, you can experience respiratory irritation. If ingested, it can lead to gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Excessive application can harm plants. It corrodes metal and absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. If too much water is absorbed, then your concrete will remain moist and more prone to damage.

When used in small amounts, it is less corrosive than chlorine-based products, is biodegradable, and will not affect the environment. CMA is one of the priciest de-icing chemicals, costing up to 30 times as much as rock salt. By refreezing, it can also make the pavement slick. Hence, it does not minimize the risk of slip and fall accidents on your premises.

Calcium Magnesium Acetate, like normal rock salt, is ineffective at very low temperatures. This compound functions at roughly 15oF, which is the same temperature as rock salt. 

Moreover, it is not as effective on old ice that has already formed a bond with the ground. But it can be used for pre-treatment.

How To Find Pet Safe Ice Melt Ingredients?

Manufacturers will usually label their products very clearly, knowing that many people have something very specific in mind when they are purchasing their ice melt products in preparation for the first snowstorm. Customers that are concerned about the ingredients in specific products should go to the company website in question, which will probably provide a detailed ingredients list, assuming there wasn’t an ingredients list available with the packaging. Typically, pet and concrete safe ice melt products have short ingredients lists, in sharp contrast to many processed foods. Every new ingredient is an additional expense and many of them will prove unnecessary when it comes to successfully melting ice.

To confirm her findings Della decided to check the company website and read the reviews and fact sheets. She found out more about the Safe Paw ice melt ingredients and how it works.

  • Safe Paw comprises traction agents made up of a modified crystalline amide core interleaved with glycol admixture. 
  • While breaking surface tension, the liquid component immediately begins melting ice. 
  • The crystal-core effectively penetrates and destabilizes ice, causing the melting process to accelerate. 
  • For up to three days, Safe Paw creates an invisible layer of protection that helps prevent ice from clinging to surfaces.

She found that Safe Paw ingredients are free from hazardous chemicals and are completely safe for pets and kids.

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How Safe Is Chloride-Free, Environmentally Friendly Ice Melt?

The good news is that natural ice melt is salt-free and suitable for both children and pets. These salt melts are awarded for being safe for people, pets, and the environment. Some of the awards and articles referring to these environment-friendly ice melts are

  • United States governmental agencies awards
  • Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA) Green Product Seal of Approval for products that are family-friendly and effective.
  • Inclusion in the Whole Green Catalog. Best Things for the Earth

When the granules of these ice melt come into contact with ice, the outer layer liquefies and begins to penetrate and break up the surface. 

Even in frigid temperatures, after the ice has melted, this ice melt is present on the surface of pathways, steps, porches, decks, patios, and wherever else you need safe, dependable footing to resist ice. Pediatricians, veterinarians, and wildlife experts all suggest it.

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Safe Paw, Child Plant Dog Paw & Pet Safe Ice Melt -35lb, 100% Salt/Chloride Free -Non-Toxic, Vet Approved, No Concrete Damage, Fast Acting Formula, Last 3X Longer- 36 Pails

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Safe Paw, Child Plant Dog Paw & Pet Safe Ice Melt -22lb, 100% Salt/Chloride Free -Non-Toxic, Vet Approved, No Concrete Damage, Fast Acting Formula, Last 3X Longer- 100 Boxes

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Safe Paw, Dog/Child/Plant Pet Safe Ice Melt with Traction Agent,100% Salt-Free/Chloride-Free, Non-Toxic, Fast Acting, Lasts 3X Longer-160 Jugs

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Della concluded that a natural ice melt that’s devoid of caustic salts, colors, and dangerous chemicals is the best ice melt solution for homeowners like her. It is perfectly safe to use around pets. It is a non-corrosive snow and ice melt since it is chloride-free. 

Before buying your ice melt, make sure that it is quick and effective not only on sunny days but especially during the days when you have a temperature below freezing point. Like Della, before making a decision go to the company website, read reviews and testimonials. You can even ask for a demo or technical assistance from the manufacturer. 

Conclusion

It is now widely accepted that using rock salt to melt ice is ineffective. As the winter months approach, homeowners begin looking for ice melters that are safe for concrete, roads, and roofs. People with pets and children are on the lookout for ice melters safe for dogs, cats, and children. The majority of ice melts are caustic. Chloride does cause corrosion. Choose a non-toxic, chlorine-free, and salt-free ice melter. The majority of commercially available snow melters are poisonous to animals. 

Some firms claim to be pet-friendly by rounding off the harsh edges of the salt. The truth is that they still contain hazardous chemicals that pets might lick off their paws and become unwell. Only a few firms are salt-free and pet-friendly. Ice melters with rock salt can irritate the eyes and cause skin irritation, severe vomiting, and diarrhea in some circumstances. Safe Paw ice melter ingredients are free from any such toxic chemicals and safe for ecology.

Get ready for winter with the ONLY Pet Safe Ice Melt you can trust

FAQs

A. Safer ice melt ingredients can include calcium magnesium acetate, which is less damaging to concrete and safer for pets and plants. Products like Safe Paw Ice Melt also use non-toxic, proprietary ingredients.

A. Safe Paw Ice Melt is a proprietary blend of ingredients that is marketed as safe for pets, plants, and concrete. The specific ingredients are not disclosed, but the product is free from traditional salts.

A. Calcium chloride is often considered the most effective ice melting chemical as it can work in extremely cold temperatures (down to -25°F or -32°C).

A. The chemicals in ice melt can make it harmful to pets, plants, and concrete. Some can also have negative environmental impacts. However, products using safer chemicals or formulas, like calcium magnesium acetate or Safe Paw Ice Melt, reduce these risks.

A. Ice melt chemicals can run off into water bodies, increasing their salt content, which can harm aquatic life. Some, like sodium chloride, can also harm plants and soil.

A. Yes, there are products like Safe Paw Ice Melt that are free from traditional salts and marketed as safe for pets, plants, and concrete.

A. Calcium magnesium acetate is considered a safer ice melt ingredient. Products marketed as pet-safe or environmentally friendly may also contain safer ingredients or formulas.

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