Citation

Hanneman R. APWA Reporter 2007; 74(10): 40-41.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, American Public Works Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A new guidebook, Report 577, from the American Public Works Association, helps agencies decide which deicers best suit their needs. It integrates considerations of cost, handling characteristics, ice-melting performance and a vast array of environmental impacts. The users can adjust the weight of each variable to reflect their community values. The decision tool requires the agencies to weight the variable explicitly and allows for some customization. The new report examines 42 different deicers, as well as abrasives that can be used as alternatives. It also examines application amounts, exposure pathways, chemical-specific impacts and site-specific characteristics. The ways that the various factors are calibrated and calculated are explained. The weighting process is illustrated with different specific examples. Various deicers tend to score higher no matter what the formula, and the reasons for that are explained.