CONCERNS REGARDING SNOW AND ICE BUILD-UP The United States has become increasingly dependent on its road system to enable the reliable movement of an ever growing amount of people, goods and services (EPA). Despite the inevitability of inclement weather, Americans expect these systems to be maintained in order to allow for safe travel (EPA). Every year in the northeastern United States, municipalities are forced to find solutions to the myriad of problems presented by the accumulation of snow and ice on their roadways and bridges. This nearly guaranteed accrual of snow and ice not only causes severe traffic issues for local transportation departments to rectify, it also presents major safety concerns for the thousands of commuters that travel …show more content…
These chemicals melt ice and snow by “lowering the freezing point of the snow-salt mixture” (Zhang) at the point of application. Before applying to roadways, liquid products are often added to abrasives or solids salts to not only make them easier to distribute, but to maintain contact with the roadways (AASHTO). According to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), “the most commonly used winter maintenance product is solid salt (NaCl), followed by salt brine and then sand or traction material” (AASHTO). Furthermore, liquid magnesium chloride and liquid calcium chloride were used by nearly 60 percent of respondent municipalities (AASHTO). SODIUM CHLORIDE (NaCl) Commonly referred to as rock salt, sodium chloride is by far the “most widely used deicing chemical” (Zhang) due to its low cost and availability. Sodium Chloride is commonly used in conjunction with a pre-wetting fluid during application, which improves its adherence to pavement and minimizes waste. Sodium Chloride has been shown to “accelerate corrosion rates of automobiles, steel reinforced concrete, and the steel structures of bridges” (Zhang). CALCIUM CHLORIDE
In the essay, “Global Warming is Eroding Glacial Ice,” Andrew C. Revkin argues that global warming is the primary cause for many of the world’s natural disasters; including flash floods, climate change, and the melting of the polar ice caps. He includes multiple accounts of expert testimony as well as a multitude amount of facts and statistics to support his theory that global warming is a threat to the world. However, in the essay “Cold Comfort for ‘Global Warming’,” Phillip Stott makes the complete opposite argument. He argues that global warming is nothing to be worried about and the melting of the polar icecaps is caused by the interglacial period we are currently in. After reading both of these essays and doing extensive research on both viewpoints, I completely agree with Revkin that global warming is an enormous threat to our world today. My research not only helped me to take a stand but it also showed me the invalidity in Stott’s essay.
To start of we all know that driving in Winter all drivers experience low visibility which causes all drivers to take it slower than usual. Before thinking about driving in Winter, you need to make sure you know how to handle snowy and icy roads before getting behind the wheel. All it takes is the smallest patch of ice or snow to cause you to skid of the road, which could cause life threatning injuries
States on the lee, or down wind, sides of the great lakes receive lake-effect snow every year. For some cities this can push the average snowfall up to 400 inches. During the February storm of this year records were broken for the most snowfall in one storm. For a duration of the storm snow was falling at a rate of six inches or more per hour. Some of the images captured from the event leave some in disbelief that such a thing could even happen. Storms of this magnitude completely shut down all activity. Many areas do not have equipment capable of handling such mass amounts of snow, and even if they do the task is overwhelming. (weather.com 2006)
It is predicted that the effect of permafrost melting will be that the ocean levels will rise and will significantly increase the temperature and accelerate the rate at which global warming occurs. Permafrost covers 24% of the land in the Northern Hemisphere (Insert Citation), if this was to melt 1700 gigatonnes of methane and carbon dioxide (Insert Citation), powerful heat trapping gases, would be released into the atmosphere increasing the amount of greenhouse gases by 200%.
Common salt is another word for table salt. Table salt was researched to have the most of sodium chloride and actually has ninety-nine point nine percent (“Natural sea salt - will not cause high blood pressure”, n.d.). The researcher thinks it will increase the boiling point in water the most because it has the highest amount of sodium chloride present. Common salt is said to be the most used matter in the chemical world. Salt is translucent and can create electricity if melted. It is also known to melt ice or snow because it can be added to water to create a mixture that has a lower freezing point than purified water (Aasen, et Al 1999).
Calcium Chloride is ideal for snow removal because it can be used when temperatures are as low as -13° F and gets hot once it touches the pavement, which is why it is an instant melting solution (Riebel, 2014). Calcium Chloride is not only ideal for melting snow, but is also useful for fertilizer for plants since it contains micronutrients that allow plants to grow and develop. Calcium Chloride contains nutrients that are used in photosynthesis that plants get from the soil and helps plants strengthen and thicken their cell walls. If calcium chloride is not present, plants can have weak stems and flowers can shed off quickly (Miller n.d.). Calcium Chloride is also sprayed on fruit and trees to prevent calcium deficiency that causes diseases if not treated (Bogemans, Neirinckx, and Stassart, 1989). Overall, calcium chloride is very useful for snow removal, as well as plant growth and
Also, MSDS had given how to protect equipment, the condition necessary to stabilize Thallium (I) chloride, toxicological information, how to treated waste of Thallium(I) chloride after used and procedures by Radiation Safety Officer or by a consult with the state, local, or federal regulation for appropriate disposable. If I workers in an in a warehouse, I would a wear equip safety suit as advised in MSDS to avoid Thallium (I) chloride ever contacted in my ingestion system, skin, eye and Chronic exposure. The MSDS also advise should store Thallium(I) chloride in 20-25 C. The handling of Thallium(I) chloride needs a syringe shields and tongs are recommended. As a fireman, Thallium (I) chloride is disregarded as a fire hazard or explosive hazards. In the case of fire, firemen were advised wear protective suit that can withstand high-pressure mode. If I work as a medical person treating someone, MSDS has first aid techniques to treat if Thallium(I) chloride contract skin or eye by use water to wash it off. However, MSDS doesn’t have a method to treat if Thallium(I) chloride get inside your
But prior to our examination of diferent methods of permafrost resistent roadbuilding techniques we must start by going back to basics. To understand the construction methodology of arctic roadbuilding we need to understand the mechanics and properties of permafrost.
Mr. Riccuto began doing snow removal at Ice Work 10 -15 years ago. AJ asked him to prepare a document because they were going to bid out landscaping and snow removal. He worked at the Ice Rink in January and February. He used the following:
Chasing Ice covers the long debated topic of global warming and whether or not human activity is currently causing global temperatures to rise. Evidence suggests that increased carbon dioxide emissions over the past couple hundred years are responsible for the warming of the Earth’s surface, and thus increasing the levels of the ocean due to an accelerated rate of ice melting. We discussed this same topic in class and how humans are contributing to the greenhouse effect which plays a large role in trapping these unnatural amounts of gases such as carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere and causing a rise in the number of natural disasters around the world.
AOPA Air Safety Foundation. (2002, November 11). Aircraft Icing. Retrieved February 19, 2005 from http://www.aopa.org/asf/publications/sa11.pdf
The snow, ice, dirt, rocks, salt and other debris will quickly damage your vehicle's exterior and could do so in just one bad bout of winter. It freezes, the city treats the roads with sand and salt. You then drive on those roads and your vehicle is constantly pelted with what is basically a salty, sandpaper like substance moving at a high rate of speed which will cause damage to your vehicle's surface. Then another storm comes along and the same thing happens all over again.
One has to be aware of other drivers, bikers, pedestrians and the weather. You have to plan to leave 15-30 minutes ahead of time to ensure a punctual arrival. First you have to start your vehicle and let it warm u for about 10 minutes, depending on if its cold. The roads are typically slippery from ice and snow. If it is snowing once you are driving traffic
Driving during the winter months in snowy regions can be tough. Poorly plowed roads, black ice, blowing snow and whiteout conditions can cause all types of problems for travelers. It is important for all drivers to be prepared for winter traveling emergencies, but it is especially important when traveling with young children. As adults, your first job when stranded in a car in severe winter weather is to take care of the health and safety of your little ones strapped into the backseat of your car. Every parent should have a winter travel emergency kit during snowy seasons that is packed with essential supplies.
Is there or will there be a heavy accumulation of snow, especially during the typical travel times to and from school? Are highways clear? Are buses unable to run due to extreme cold or unplowed streets? Are driving conditions hazardous? Are there power, plumbing issues, or phone outages?