Just like too much salt is bad for your health, heavy use of road salt can harm the environment. In Pennsylvania alone, nearly 600,000 tons of salt were spread on icy roads since 2020.
Harry Campbell, who works at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, says research shows that many streams across the U.S. are becoming saltier—by almost 40%. This salt runoff can be harmful to freshwater life. In fact, just one teaspoon of rock salt can pollute five gallons of fresh water.
Campbell points out that species like brook trout and the Eastern Hellbender face toxic effects from this salt. To tackle this issue, he encourages people to participate in Winter Salt Week, which promotes awareness about the impact of road salt and encourages better deicing practices.
Research into eco-friendly alternatives like beet root juice is ongoing, though these options can be expensive. Campbell suggests that using the right amount of salt at the right time and place can help lessen the negative impact. He also recommends safer products for homeowners, such as magnesium chloride, which is kinder to pets and vegetation.
Unlike rock salt, magnesium chloride and calcium magnesium acetate pose less risk to plants and animals. Excessive salt in waterways can corrode infrastructure, taint drinking water, and upset the natural balance of nutrients. This is an important issue for everyone to consider.
By Hannah Norman for KFF Health News. Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service.
Juana Valle never thought she would fear drinking her well water. After moving to her 5-acre farm in San Juan Bautista, California, she became concerned about her health and the safety of her food. Researchers recently found harmful chemicals, known as PFAS, in her water, linked to serious health problems like cancer and low birth weight.
The PFAS may have come from agricultural activities nearby, as some fertilizers and pesticides contain these harmful substances. Surprisingly, PFAS has been detected in rural areas, raising alarms about possible widespread contamination.
Officials are increasingly worried that agricultural practices might put farmworkers and nearby communities at risk, particularly communities of color that might already face other contaminants.
After her health declined, Valle stopped consuming food from her farm and installed a water filter, although it doesn’t eliminate PFAS. Like many in California, she faces a drinking water crisis caused by pollutants.
California’s Central Valley is a key agricultural region, and it’s dealing with PFAS contamination in public water supplies. Valle’s well had PFAS levels significantly above safety standards, which has spurred researchers to examine potential sources further.
Many pesticides now contain PFAS, which adds to the danger for farmworkers and the surrounding communities. Amid these concerns, the use of biosolids—treated sewage spread on farmland—can also be a source of contamination.
California has started monitoring wells, especially in vulnerable areas, and is facing challenges in regulations and testing. The consequences of PFAS could linger long into the future. As people like Valle fight to secure safe water, it’s clear that this problem requires urgent attention and action.
CLARIFICATION: Neonicotinoids may contain PFAS chemicals, but PFAS chemicals are not neonicotinoids. (12:30 p.m. MDT, Aug. 11, 2024)
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are present in various common pesticides sold in Connecticut and elsewhere. These “forever chemicals” are raising alarms due to their harmful effects on health, wildlife, and the environment. Advocacy groups are pushing for stronger regulations on these toxic substances.
Nathan Donley from the Center for Biological Diversity notes that many pesticides are easily accessible to the public and pose risks both to users and to those who may be exposed through contaminated water sources.
In Connecticut, a bill is being considered to limit the use of certain pesticide products. Meanwhile, the pesticide industry has increased the use of PFAS in recent years, heightening concerns about exposure pathways.
Donley emphasizes that the roots of this issue are systemic failures, not merely individual actions. Protecting the community requires action from institutions and policymakers to address these persistent pollutants, which may have lasting impacts for generations to come.
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