Recommended Citation
Ji, Y., McCullouch, B., & Zhou, Z. (2020). Evaluation of anti-icing/de-icing products under controlled environmental conditions (Joint Transportation Research Program Publication No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2020/22). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284317253
DOI
10.5703/1288284317253
Abstract
Snow and ice removal are important tasks during the winter season and large amounts of anti-icing and de-icing chemicals are used and there is a critical need to review and synthesize information from the literature to compare and contrast anti-icing and de-icing chemicals to understand their environmental impact and support decision making. The effectiveness, costs, and environmental impact of commonly used and alternative anti-icing and de-icing chemicals were reviewed in this study. Application of anti-icing and de-icing chemicals may increase ion concentrations in soils and change nitrogen cycle, soil pH, and trace metal concentrations, affect surface water and groundwater, and increase public health risks. Life cycle assessment was conducted to quantitively evaluate environmental impact of selected anti-icing and de-icing chemicals. A decision support tool on environmental impact was developed to evaluate environmental impact of anti-icing and de-icing chemicals in ten different environmental impact categories. The results showed the environmental life cycle assessment tool developed in this study can be used to compare multiple environment impacts to support decision making for winter operation chemicals.
Report Number
FHWA/IN/JTRP-2020/22
Keywords
anti-icing chemicals, de-icing chemicals, environmental impact, life cycle assessment, decision support tool
SPR Number
4321
Performing Organization
Joint Transportation Research Program
Sponsoring Organization
Indiana Department of Transportation
Publisher Place
West Lafayette, IN
Date of this Version
2020
