Authorities using antifreeze on roads

[Mark]

All these things have a knock-on as we now know. I think salt causes more problems than sore pads. Excess salt is lethal to birds. I'm sure some must get into the water table as well. Not to mention damage to cars etc.

[Fire Fox]

Every year I get older and crabbier this country's response to seasonal weather verges on mass hysteria. Surely it isn't good for the environment to pour chemicals all over our roads? I can't believe felines are the only species at risk.  Many countries cope with harsh weather conditions on an annual basis, others survive El Nino years; God help Britain if we are heading into another ice age/ hardcore global warning.

And breathe.  Dogs can really suffer with the grit/ salt getting into their pads, do cats get sore paws too? I suppose foxes etc. are at risk too?

[Mark]

The stuff the put in windscreen de-icer is the same as the stuff in antifreeze. I'm just wondering about pets getting it on their paws & coat and grooming 

[clarenmax]

On the news earlier from Heathrow they were talking about a substance they use on the runways, kind of like the de-icer stuff you use on your windscreen, just an industrial strength version - I wonder if its something like that?

[Mark]

I caught part of a news report on the radio yesterday and someone was saying that they have 1/2 billion litres of antifreeze in reserve to use on the roads. Hopefully they will only use it on motorways - but worrying if they start using it on smaller roads and pavements if the salt runs out. I have never heard of antifreeze being used instead of salt.


Just googled and hopefully is is just a salt-based one like this http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11799664

Worrying otherwise.