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Effects of road slime are limited The Jan. 10 Mail Tribune carried two related stories pertaining to the "slime" used to de-ice Interstate 5. The chemical is derived from salt, which we all know is highly corrosive and greatly decreases the useful life of automobile metal. How corrosive is this "slime" chemical used on Oregon highways? -- Gary S., Medford We received a number of questions about the salt content and corrosiveness of magnesium chloride, the liquid "slime" used to keep ice off the Siskiyou Summit and other mountain passes. The product doesn't contain salt, but it is a member of the same chemical family as salt. Oregon prohibits the use of salt as a de-icer. Any chemical used on Oregon highways must be at least 70 percent less corrosive than salt. That's thanks to standards set by the Pacific Northwest Snowfighters Coalition, a group made up of state transportation department staffers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia. Also, the magnesium chloride, produced by a company known as ICM in (where else?) Salt Lake City, Utah, contains "corrosive inhibitors," liquid chemicals that reduce corrosion and are not harmful to the environment, said Dale Keep of Ice & Snow Technologies, a Walla Walla.-based consulting company that trains road departments. His research helped start de-icing programs across the country. "Many of the products used on the highways are less corrosive than ordinary water," said Keep. He noted that magnesium chloride, while not entirely free of threats to the environment, is safer than more traditional road treatments, including sand. But there are many variables, he cautioned, including how road departments apply the chemical. Will Southern Oregon's "slime" cause rust to develop on cars like salt does? The product does remain somewhat corrosive. Should drivers wash their cars after traveling the Siskiyou Summit? "Yes," Keep said. Send your questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; or by fax to (541) 776-4376; or by e-mail to: [email protected] Please include your name, address and phone number for verification. Today's News Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA