Magnesium Chloride has become the de-icer of choice in snowy regions such as Colorado. Supporters of the product claim that magnesium chloride is an environmentally safer option for de-icing than some of its predecessors, namely sodium chloride. The use of magnesium chloride, in liquid and modified cold pressed form has been show to be highly effective as a tool for de-icing in Colorado. The use of the agent has resulted in much safer travel routes for commuters and the like during wintry months. Magnesium chloride is typically applied in two different manners depending on the surface and conditions in which it is applied. Liquid magnesium chloride is typically sprayed on dry pavement prior to snowfall, or used on wet pavement before it freezes during winter months to prevent snow from bonding to surfaces (Pavek, 2003). The use of magnesium chloride has contributed to improved highway safety in the State of Colorado. Some issues have developed surrounding the use of the de-icing agent however, related to electric utilities. These include contamination of insulators and corrosion of steel and aluminum poles (Pavek, 2003). The advantages and disadvantages of magnesium chloride use, as well as the history and success of its use in Colorado are explored further below.

In October of 2002, the Colorado Dept. Of Transportation announced that its plans for snow removal and winter maintenance include use of liquid magnesium chloride at temperatures above 16 degrees, and use of a cold temperature modified form of magnesium chloride at temperatures below 16 degrees (CDOT, 2002).

The modified version of magnesium chloride is applied to snow typically after it has coated a surface to melt frozen moisture (CDOT, 2002). The liquid De-Icer is typically applied prior to or during a storm to prevent ice formation or snow bonding on pavement (CDOT, 2002). Once the magnesium chloride successfully de-ices an area, it sits on the surface to which it was applied much like sodium chloride.

Supporters of the use of magnesium chloride in Colorado have stated that the de-icer has proven beneficial to the environment. The use of the product has according to officials contributed...

The mag-chloride is more environmentally friendly than many of its predecessors.
Supporters of its use have noted that the sodium chloride or sand used by many other states can actually become airborne and decrease air quality over time (CDOT, 2002). The cold temperature modified magnesium chloride used in Colorado consists of a solution of up to 27% magnesium chloride, and is made from a corn byproduct additive that lowers its freezing point (CDOT, 2002).

Not all people are firm supporters of the use of the de-icing agent however, even in Colorado. Some negative side effects have been determined and have sparked some controversy among highway maintenance officials. The use of magnesium chloride has been shown to possibly increase electrical outages and pole fires, because of "tracking and arcing across insulators" (Pavek, 2002). In Colorado, three cooperatives have acknowledged that outages have increased as have pole top fires in cold months, in part due to the coating of said materials by magnesium chloride (Pavek, 2002). The insulators are coated with the de-icing agent when heavy traffic causes the magnesium chloride to rise up in a mist form and settle on the electrical equipment (Pavek, 2003). Clearly these factors are negative in nature and have caused motorists and environmental supporters some concern.

One potential solution to the problem is removal of the buildup of the de-icer. However cleanup efforts could be very costly and time consuming. Rain sometimes acts as a natural cleaning agent; however snowfall is much more likely to occur during cold months, virtually nullifying this cleansing option.

Another environmental issue facing Coloradoans resulting from the use of magnesium chloride is corrosion. The use of sodium chloride or rock salt in the past presented a much greater problem in this respect. Magnesium chloride however, is also by nature corrosive; however proponents of its use point out those chemical agents are added to it to minimize the corrosive effects (Pavek, 2002). Highway departments in the state of Colorado have noticed that the…