Demonstration Overview
The STED Program is currently demonstrating less toxic solid granular deicers for use on facility hardscapes at Department of Defense (DoD) Installations.
Deicers have been designated for Federal procurement preference by both the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) BioPreferred Program and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safer Choice Program. Currently, only liquid products are listed in the BioPreferred Catalog whereas products certified under Safer Choice are mostly solids.
Deicers are applied to exterior surfaces to prevent or remove accumulated snow and ice by lowering the freezing point of water. To mitigate these risks, traditional deicing practices have utilized sodium chloride rock salt, the components of which present additional hazards to the environment and infrastructure. The use of Safer Choice certified deicers mitigates these risks by utilizing products verified to meet the EPA’s safer ingredient screening, reduce sodium and chloride use by at least 30 percent compared to sodium chloride rock salt, not contain cyanide, function at temperatures of 0° Fahrenheit, and comply with the Pacific Northwest Snow Fighters’ criteria for reduction in corrosivity to steel (at least 70 percent less than rock salt) and overall performance. In addition, Safer Choice deicers potentially have increased performance characteristics over sodium chloride rock salt, to include more efficient melting properties, lower melting temperatures, and greater residual deicing effect.
Before these Safer Choice certified products are utilized by the Military Departments and DoD Components, their performance must be proven to meet DoD requirements.
Demonstration Products*
The following biobased products are currently being demonstrated:
- Premiere Ice Melter by CP Industries
- Premiere Pro Ice Melter/Superior Sno-N-Ice Melter by CP Industries
- Safe Step Mag Chloride 8300 by Compass Minerals
- Safe Step 6300 Enviro-Blend by Compass Minerals
- Safe Step Sure Paws by Compass Minerals
- Ecos Ice Melt by Earth Friendly Products
*Mention of or referral to commercial products, services, and manufacturers herein is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by, nor the official policy or position of, the Department of Defense (DoD), any of its Components, or the U.S. Government.
Demonstration Sites
Field demonstrations of these products are being performed at the following DoD installations to evaluate their performance in Military operational environments and to raise awareness of Safer Choice certified product availability:
- Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB)
- Hill AFB
- Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Center
- Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM)
In addition, data was collected from Eielson AFB and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, where Safer Choice certified deicers have been used for several years
Demonstration Details
Installation personnel are provided a supply of the products and asked to provide feedback on the product performance. Facility managers at the listed installations found the Safer Choice certified products to be effective at breaking ice bonds, able to provide sufficient traction, and effective through the stated operational temperature range. No concrete or metal damage or environmental or health impacts were observed.
For more information regarding the Safer Choice certified deicer demonstration, please Contact Us.
