Urea, or carbonyl diamide, is a safer ice-melting agent than salt. However, urea, like other fertilizers, causes algae bloom in waterways because it releases nitrates. Although urea aids in traction, its salt-melting capability is inferior to salt, so it is commonly used in much greater quantities, further polluting area water.
Alfafa meal is the most natural ice-melting agent being used. Like urea, alfalfa meal is a fertilizer that provides both traction and ice-melting capabilities. Also like urea, alfalfa meal releases nitrates that can cause algae bloom in waterways. However, this problem is less common and less severe from alfalfa meal than it is from urea.
Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) is a salt-melting vinegar made from acetic acid and dolomitic limestone. When CMA or urea is combined with a glycol blend, these natural ice-melting substitutes benefit from the glycol blend’s tendency to inhibit nitrogen. The result is an effective salt-substitute that mostly stays out of area waterways.
