Comparing Cypher's Organic Dust Control to Road Salts

Road in Guinea after being treated with organic dust control.

While there are a plethora of competitive products saturating the market, particularly here in North America, few can match the environmental integrity of our DUST/BLOKR® organic dust control line. The most common dust control products are road salts – primarily Magnesium Chloride followed closely by Calcium Chloride. These products are pervasive, but they come with a significant downside of high corrosiveness. Despite their allure of affordability, which admittedly undercuts Cypher’s offerings, consumer sentiment is shifting towards a willingness to invest a bit more for environmentally friendly, non-corrosive and organic dust control solutions, especially in light of growing environmental concerns.

The Extensive Impact of Road Salts

Extensive research reveals that the detrimental effects of de-icing salt extend far beyond roadways, impacting architectural metals and various construction materials. Seasonal de-icing salt accumulations have been observed to affect areas spanning up to 1.9 km (1.2 miles) from roadways and buildings, reaching as high as the 59th floor. Regardless of geographic location, whether in Asia, Europe, Americans, or New Zealand, the potential exposure to de-icing salts underscores the importance of considering the adverse effects when evaluating dust control solutions for any project.

Comparing DUST/BLOKR®, Cypher’s Organic Dust Control to Chloride-Based Road Salts

	DUST/BLOKR	Chloride-Based Road Salts
Impact to the environment	Zero environmental impact adverse or otherwise	Runoff from the road can carry road salts into rivers, lakes and oceans, contaminating both surface water and groundwater quality. Excess road salt accumulating on roadside areas can be harmful to roadside plants and harming wildlife. High levels of chlorides can lead to oxygen depletion which can inhibit the growth and reproduction of aquatic species and impact food sources. Increased salt levels can also make the environment more vulnerable to invasive species
Impact to infrastructure	Zero environmental impact adverse or otherwise	Road salts can encourage rust formation in vehicles
Impact to Vehicles	Zero environmental impact adverse or otherwise	Road salts accumulating on infrastructure such as roads, bridges, sidewalks, and buildings can also weaken the structural integrity of concrete
Effectiveness	Increased water resistance, helps shed water resulting in a more stable road in wet conditions	While chlorides can be effective in the short-term, they are not efficient as a long-term option as the road salts can quickly wash away with water. Chlorides also can’t withstand the stress of heavy industrial equipment, requiring frequent re-applications.
Cost	Cost effective in the long run from less frequent applications and maintenance	Low cost with a high environmental cost
Application	Easy to apply, using the same application techniques and equipment used for standard road construction	Easy to apply

Learn more about Cypher’s DUST/BLOKR

At Cypher Environmental, we take pride in offering environmentally friendly and organic dust control alternatives and also actively advocating for regulatory measures to limit the use of corrosive products. Additionally, we prioritize versatility across industries. Our products serve as highly appealing alternatives not only in mining but also in forestry, agriculture, air strips, helipads, and sensitive environmental applications, protecting both infrastructure and the costly equipment that are reliant on these routes.

Download DUST/BLOKR Brochure

Sources:

“Winter is Coming! And with it, tons of salt on our roads” EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency. November 2020.
“Environmental Hazards of Road Salt” Penn State Extension. October 27, 2023.
“The Hidden Dangers of Road Salt” Smithsonian Magazine. May 26, 2017.