Exploring Alternatives to Calcium Chloride for Snow Removal in Korea: Environmental Impact and Solutions
Calcium chloride, widely used for snow removal in Korea, presents significant side effects, including road and vehicle corrosion, pothole formation, and harm to vegetation. As concerns mount over its environmental and health impacts, exploring alternatives becomes imperative. This article delves into the repercussions of calcium chloride usage and examines potential solutions to mitigate its adverse effects.
- Calcium chloride, employed extensively for snow removal, amounts to 100,000 tons annually in Korea alone.
- The compound's corrosive nature contributes to road and vehicle damage, evident in incidents like the Bundang Suspension Bridge collapse.
- Potholes, a common aftermath of calcium chloride usage, pose risks to drivers and escalate road maintenance efforts.
- Environmental degradation ensues, with over 400 street trees perishing and adverse effects on soil microorganisms and respiratory health observed.
- Studies, including research by the Korea Advanced Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (KAIST), underscore the detrimental impact of calcium chloride on trees and wildlife.
Challenges and Alternatives:
- Heated pavement and eco-friendly methods like oyster shell-based snow removal emerge as alternatives but are limited by cost and effectiveness, particularly in low temperatures.
- Refinement of snow removal standards based on temperature and location, alongside the exploration of innovative solutions, is advocated by experts to address the shortcomings of existing methods.
Environmental Concerns:
- Calcium chloride's interaction with soil and vegetation leads to moisture depletion, inhibits microorganism activity, and poses respiratory hazards when airborne.
- Incidents of wildlife deaths, such as those reported in Japan and Korea, underscore the urgent need for environmentally sustainable snow removal practices.
Conclusion: The pervasive use of calcium chloride for snow removal in Korea raises pressing environmental and health concerns. As incidents of road damage, tree mortality, and wildlife harm escalate, the imperative to explore eco-friendly alternatives becomes paramount. While challenges persist, informed policymaking, technological innovation, and public awareness efforts offer pathways toward sustainable snow removal practices.
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