I have been thinking about this street salt issue for years.
We human always try to alter the nature for our own convenience. I think we should just wear appropriate shoes for walking in the snow and forget about adding salt or any other "yearly concentrated alternatives".

When I was a kid in the city, no matter what size of snowstorm, only sand was used on the roads. And it was fine--every bit as good as salt. Plowing and sanding is a much more ecologically sound way to go.

Uggh Dog lovers are totally exasperating!! Just teach 'em to use the toilet already! Jeez!

Growing up in Fargo, North Dakota, I was always struck by the ease by which we got by without salt when, just across the river in Minnesota, they salted like crazy.

Granted, it stays too cold for most of the winter in Fargo for salt to do anything. But it says something that North Dakotans aren't slipping and dying in droves.

Frankly...the root cause is more a lack of dedication to keeping the sidewalks free and clear of ice and snow. A clean sidewalk never needs salting.

calcium chloride works. It's way more expensive than sodium, but is stronger and safer.

I 'm always concerned about driving on overpasses and elevated highways such as the Pulaski skyway. It's life span must have been reduced with the salt application.

"There are alternatives to sodium chloride that are relatively harmless to the environment and still get the job done. Calcium magnesium acetate and potassium acetate are two chloride alternatives currently available. They are much more expensive than road salt, but if you factor in the loss of wildlife, soil erosion, water quality and corrosion, these alternatives start to look like a real bargain."

http://www.sedona.biz/sustainable-living1407.htm

Last year did New York City change the TYPE of salt they are using on the streets? I've noticed a severe increase in the amount of damage the salt is doing to the pavement. Our streets are really being torn up. The cost of repairing this damage will be high!

It's not table salt. It's calcium carbonate and calcium chloride. Completely different substance.

Never thought about it?! This is the kind myopic thinking and planning that afflicts our ecology on every front: short-term gain with no evaluation of long-term effects.

In Europe, I know of Berlin and Hamburg for sure, salt can only be used on main roads. Sand or other substances that increase friction are used instead. Trees in particular are damaged, as well as cars. In NYC I also noticed that salt is not allowed to be used on bridges, I presume to prevent corrosion?

Mushers Natual Wax for your dogs paws!

I just came in from a walk.
There's gravel out on the sidewalks here.
So I echo Sara's question (above).
Why can't we use sand?
Is it worse? Better?

Keep in mind that all that salt has to end up somewhere. The difference between the ocean and a lake or river is the amount of salt. Accumulated salt in our watersystems will eventually kill off the organisms in those systems. In addition, the filtration of salt by the soil will end up will salty soil. Contaminated soil cannot grow plants - hence the expression "salt the Earth".

Something to protect your dog's paws from the salt: Mushers. It's a waxy cream that you rub on the pads before the walk. I found it at Acme on Vanderbilt in Brooklyn.

What is the alternative?

Speaking of dogs, I have read and heard that salt that enters dogs' bodies through their paws can harm them. PLEASE COMMENT! Thank you!

Does Bloomberg make them use low-sodium?

Why can't we use sand, like Europe does?

And dogs! My Basset Hound Teddy cries and howls when he gets a piece of rock salt stuck in his paw (he won't wear booties).

But I am encouraged that many buildings on my block (West 79th Street, between Col and Amsterdam) have started to use dog friendlier salt.

Those big chunks of NYC rock salt really hurt.