Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) and Sodium Acetate (NaAc) may both look similar to regular road salt, however, they are chemically different despite working much in the same way. That being said both are high performance, safe, and green ice melts you can find at Green Earth Deicer Company’s Green Ice Melt shop.
CMA
Calcium Magnesium Acetate or CMA was identified and widely used by the Federal Highway Administration as an alternative to sodium chloride and other chloride snow and ice solutions due to concern for damage to the environment, parking garages, bridges, and highways. CMA is essentially non-toxic, low corrosive, without the need of multiple applications, and able to be mixed with different mediums such as salt and sand and used as a liquid or in its granular form. Due to its low toxicity, CMA is ideal for homes with pets and properties with large lawns, trees, and other roadside vegetation. CMA also has no harmful effects on fish or insects meaning you don’t have to worry about any damage to bees hibernating underground or under old composted leaves.
NaAc
Used in a variety of industries from food to pharmaceuticals and the textile industry, Sodium Acetate in its crystalized form is at its base just…salt. While not the same as table salt, sodium acetate is used in rehydrating mineral drinks when you need electrolytes in your body and dialysis. It also is a main ingredient in heating pads. In a similar reaction to heating pads, NaAc also distributes energy to melt ice and snow on your driveway! The difference between NaAc and Sodium Chloride is that there are no chlorides which cause corrosion in steel and concrete, keeping your driveway safe with biodegradable ‘green’ elements that won’t harm the environment.
