fbpx
Blog / Articles

Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt Is Dangerous To People And Pets

0 comments
Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt

Dangers of Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt

This chloride-based magnesium ice melt does work in extreme colds. When the temperature drops below about 15 degrees Fahrenheit, the melting process slows significantly and may stop entirely. In other words, you must wait a long time before the salted area is safe to walk on or drive on. Your waiting will be in vain in very cold weather and might pose a danger if you believe the ground is safe, yet it remains covered in ice and very slippery.

The second reason to avoid magnesium chloride ice melt products is that they are dangerous to pets, children, wildlife and adults too. The Material Safety Data Sheet for magnesium chloride lists many harmful effects including:

  • Eye irritation and burn from contact
  • Skin irritation and burn (including in the mouth and throat) when touched or ingested
  • Gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea when ingested
  • Respiratory irritation when MgCl2 dust is inhaled
  • Metal fume fever when inhaled or ingested that causes flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, cough, weakness, chest and muscle pain and increased white blood cell count

Get ready for winter with the ONLY Pet Safe Ice Melt you can trust

    

Is magnesium chloride safe for pets? The answer is a big NO. Simply walking on an area that has been salted, exposes them to all the above magnesium chloride side effects. The salt will contact the skin on their paws. If they scratch or rub their face, it will get in their eyes. Animals like the taste of salt, and if they ingest it, an illness will result. Extreme exposure is fatal. The magnesium chloride brine also has side effects on pets and us.

Think about the dangers to young children. Kids often put things in their mouth from the ground, and if they taste something salty, they’re likely to continue. The Illinois Poison Control (IPC) blog says about salt-based ice melt including magnesium chloride, “Always call the IPC if your kiddo samples some of this stuff.” Less dangerous consequences of contact for kids are the same as those for pets: irritation of the skin, eyes, mouth, and throat and stomach upset.

These dangers are present too for wildlife such as squirrels, birds and many other animals known to ingest salt when they find it. Finally, the person doing the salting is at risk for skin contact and inhalation of magnesium chloride dust found in every bag or bucket of the product.

Note: Veterinarians and pediatricians warn that the dangers are much the same for other common ice melt products including sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and calcium magnesium acetate.

Get ready for winter with the ONLY Pet Safe Ice Melt you can trust

Dangers of Using Sodium Chloride Ice Melt

Sodium chloride is the main ingredient in many of the most popular salt-based ice melt on the market, like Safe Step 8300 and Road Runner ice melt. While these rock salt products melt ice at moderately cold temperatures, they present significant concerns for family members, children, pets, soil, wildlife, water bodies, and infrastructure.

Large doses of sodium chloride can cause sodium toxicosis in dogs, and an intake of 4g/kg of sodium chloride can be fatal. Dogs ingesting high amounts of this ice melt can develop hypernatremia. It occurs when the level of sodium increases in the blood. It can lead to dehydration, tachycardia, tachypnea, and in severe cases, to death also.

Salt absorbs water quickly and competes with plants for moisture when present in high concentrations in the soil. Even though there is enough water in the soil, this might cause drought-like conditions for vegetation.

People who are at risk for high blood pressure are especially vulnerable to increased salt levels in drinking water. One of the reasons behind this is the use of salt-based ice melt. The sodium ferrocyanide added to rock salt to keep it from clumping during storage is another health danger. It poses a hazard by seeping into local water supplies.

Sodium chloride or rock salt is one of the most toxic elements that can pose a threat to our furry friends. It is critical to keep an eye on pets when you are using rock salt as the ice melts around your home. It can be tough to keep track of this in the winter when you have to cope up with other winter woes.

When pets walk on a pavement that has been treated with rock salt to eliminate ice, salt pellets may become caught in between their paw pads. It might cause irritation or burns on or between your pet’s pads, which can be highly uncomfortable. De-icing with rock salt has several negative consequences for the wildlife in your area.

Rock salt can damage your concrete and can even corrode the metals. It is more disastrous for new concrete that is less than a year old. It can damage asphalt, stone, and brick also.

Ice Melt Safe For Concrete And Pets

Safe Paw - Pet Safe Ice Melt

Safe Paw

The Original and the #1 Pet and Child Safe Ice Melt for over 20 years. Guaranteed environmentally safe – will not harm waterways and sensitive wetlands.

Dangers Of Using Calcium Chloride As Ice Melt

Calcium Chloride products melt at high temperatures due to a chemical interaction with water that creates heat pockets, then refreezes. Calcium chloride is effective down to -65 degrees Fahrenheit, but it quickly refreezes.

Is calcium chloride safe for pets? Not at all. It causes dry paws, local discomfort, and several gastrointestinal problems in pets. Hygroscopic chemicals like calcium chloride cause the problem of dry paws. These chemicals take moisture from the air. It is best to avoid using these chlorides in areas where animals will spend a lot of time.

Calcium salts can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms as well as local discomfort when they come into contact with the skin and paws. Numerous additional processes are required to absorb extra calcium ingested. Most of the time, the body fails to do so. Therefore large doses of calcium salts accumulate in the body leading to severe health issues.

Calcium chloride can cause tongue and throat burn, excessive thirst, vomiting, stomach pain, low blood pressure, and other serious health consequences if consumed. Excessive dryness or desiccation of moist skin can also irritate the skin. Because of the dangers that calcium chloride poses, it is critical to use caution when handling it.

Is calcium chloride bad for you? If touched without proper gloves and handwashing, the chemical might irritate the skin and eyes. Contact dermatitis can be caused by long-term exposure to calcium chloride. Calcium chloride can be hazardous to one’s health and safety.

When calcium chloride is tracked into the house, it leaves an oily residue on your floors that destroys wax and urethane surfaces. While calcium chloride melts ice, it can erode your roofing nails if used on roofs. Calcium chloride is harmful to you, pets, and the environment. Hence, it is not the best long-term answer.

Salt-based, inexpensively mined, exothermic items are terrible for paw pads. They are hazardous if taken in large quantities and are likely to be the cheapest. Hence, avoid the cheap salt melt available under different brand names.

Avoid products with large, prominent warning labels. These labels are asking you to be cautious so, pay attention. Look at the ingredient listings. Manufacturers are required to give ingredient lists, so check for the safest chemicals. Avoid salts and other chlorides. Opt for natural, eco-friendly, kid-safe, non-caustic ice melt.

Look at the websites of the various brands. Do your research, search product sites, and read expert and customer reviews.

Get ready for winter with the ONLY Pet Safe Ice Melt you can trust

Using the best ice melt for new concrete is the greatest way to ensure that your concrete does not develop cracks or flakes. You can use a deicer that is salt-free and chloride-free. They are gentle on the concrete because they do not include corrosives or salts. They are as effective when used at low temperatures.

Another advantage of salt-free deicers is that they have a Teflon effect that prevents ice from forming. After your floor has been cleared of snow, this effect forms an undetectable layer on the deiced surface, making it easier to shovel.

Safe Ice Melt Alternatives That Are More Effective Too

Once you decide to avoid salt-based ice melting products, the question is obvious: Is there a safe road salt alternative?

Yes! The good news is that there is a product with a patented blend of ingredients that is both safe to use and more effective for melting ice than magnesium chloride and other salt-based options.

Safe Paw is the only ice melt product of its kind on the market, and it meets the stringent requirements of the United States governmental agencies for ecological friendliness. This means that Safe Paw ice melt won’t harm you, your pets, children, wildlife or the larger environment including your lawn and plants. Another great product to consider is Traction Magic. It is not an ice melter, but it works instantly and will get your car out of ice in an emergency. Like Safe Paw, it is also an eco-friendly and completely safe product.

Get ready for winter with the ONLY Pet Safe Ice Melt you can trust

How Does Safe Paw Work?

This blend contains two ice-fighting ingredients, each with a unique purpose. The patented outer core liquefies immediately when contacting the ice and begins to melt and break up its surface. This allows the crystalline amide core to penetrate deep into the ice to complete the melting process.

Safe Paw’s proprietary formula also contains glycol, widely used to thaw ice and prevent further freezing. Therefore, it not only melts existing ice, Safe Paw coats the surface to inhibit ice from forming the next time bad weather strikes.

Safe Paw is effective to a lower temperature, -2F, than magnesium chloride (+15F) and some other salt-based products (+20F to +24F). Plus, unlike rock salt, it is completely safe and won’t harm the environment.

If you are looking for an ice melt safe for concrete and pets, you can use with complete peace of mind, Safe Paw is the right choice for pets, people and the planet.

Safe Paw is a non-toxic and chemical-free ice melt. Chloride is present in most ice melting salts in one form or another. These hazardous substances burn the paws of our four-legged friends causing irritation and itching. They may erode driveways and pathways as well. Thankfully, we have safe, non-toxic, and chemical-free Safe Paw ice melt to keep your winters clean and safe.

Your ideal ice melter should be able to serve as a pre-treatment as well. Few ice melts can keep ice from clinging to surfaces for up to three days after they have been used. Safe Paw works for three days to prevent the sticking of ice with the surface. Thus, shoveling becomes an easy task.

Safe Paw will maintain melted ice in a liquid state for a longer period to preserve your concrete and extend its lifespan. It means that ice melt will not refreeze as easily or as frequently, stopping the freeze-thaw cycle from occurring.

Some of the most effective products you have heard about are not safe to use. The majority of them include chloride, which is toxic to pets. If swallowed, they can cause skin irritation, eye, nose, and lung burning, as well as nausea. Safe Paw is a pet-safe ice melt solution that would not burn their paws or poison them if consumed. It does not have any salt in it. It makes use of a proprietary system.

Gaia Enterprises Inc. delivers 100% pet-safe and environmentally friendly winter products. Safe Paw, our flagship product, is the #1 selling pet-safe ice melt that does not harm pets, safe if ingested, and safe on all types of concrete.

Tips For Using Safe Paw For Maximum Protection

To get the most out of Safe Paw, keep it indoors and at room temperature. Before the winter rains come, spread Safe Paw.

To aid in the melting of black ice, roughen the ice layer. Use a shovel to scratch the snow before applying Safe Paw. In the same way, you can also remove snow from smooth icy surfaces. This roughing reduces the surface tension between ice and the surface. Safe Paw may now begin functioning right away, providing you complete protection from slip and fall.

If your car becomes stuck in the snow or ice, Safe Paw can come in handy as a traction aid. To boost grip, clean the ruts and sprinkle Safe Paw around the tires.

FAQs

A. While magnesium chloride is less toxic than some other ice melts, it can still pose a risk to pets if ingested in large amounts or if it irritates their paws. Pet owners should still exercise caution when using it.

A. Magnesium chloride is generally safer for concrete than calcium chloride and sodium chloride because it’s less corrosive. However, all ice melts can cause damage over time, especially if the concrete is not properly sealed.

A. Both are effective at melting ice even at very low temperatures. Calcium chloride works a bit faster and at lower temperatures than magnesium chloride. However, magnesium chloride is less corrosive and generally safer for concrete and vegetation.

A. Yes, magnesium chloride is a good option for ice melt. It’s effective at very low temperatures and is less harmful to vegetation and concrete than some other alternatives. However, like all ice melts, it should be used sparingly to minimize environmental impact.

A. Pros include less harm to vegetation and concrete, and effective ice melting even at low temperatures. Cons include potential harm to pets if ingested in large amounts, and a higher cost compared to rock salt.

A. While magnesium chloride is less harmful to plants than some other types of ice melt, it can still cause damage if used excessively. It’s best to use any ice melt product sparingly and according to package instructions.

A. Always clean your pet’s paws after they’ve walked on surfaces treated with magnesium chloride. If your pet ingests a large amount, contact your veterinarian as it can be harmful.

A. Contact your veterinarian immediately. Although less toxic than some alternatives, large amounts can still be harmful to your pet.

A. Magnesium chloride is generally safe for most surfaces and is less corrosive than other types of ice melt. However, all ice melts can cause damage over time, especially if the surfaces aren’t properly sealed.

Instant Traction In Icy Driveways

Other Ice Melt Products

Traction Magic

Stay safe on slippery surfaces with a product that’s 100% natural and safe for pets, people, and your property. Use Traction Magic on sidewalks, steps, or as instant traction for your car.

Traction Magic Road Salt Alternative

Safe Thaw

Imagine an ice melt you can put down and never worry about. It won’t harm pets, kids and your property. That’s Safe Thaw. Unlike anything else on the market, Safe Thaw can change how winter affects our planet.

Safe Thaw - Industrial Ice Melt
Safe Paw - Ice Melt In Bulk
Steven J Greenwald -President of Gaia Enterprises, Inc.

Author: Steven J Greenwald

Nature-friendly innovations are Steve’s passion and his products are deeply rooted in this philosophy. “Safe for people, pets, property, and the planet” isn’t just a tagline; it’s the very essence of Steve’s vision.

Driven by a profound respect for our environment, for the last 50 years, Steve is leading the charge towards a future where sustainability isn’t an option but a standard.

Bulk Purchase With Safe Paw


    Become A Safe Paw Distributor


      Buy Now