Counties agree to cover mag-chloride damage

(Our Chemical Times – July 10, 2015)

Many Western Colorado counties, acknowledging the idiocy of spraying magnesium-chloride on dirt roads this summer, have agreed to pay motorists for detrimental effects to their vehicles.
They do so begrudgingly saying that they were only following orders.
The victims, whose cars and trucks not so slowly rot out from exposure to the chemical, can apply for the payouts in the appropriate county offices before October 1 to receive compensation. Despite countless washings and expensive treatments many never fully recover, the money might help ease the pain.
Magnesium-chloride is applied primarily to combat dust (and snow in the winter months). It has been proven effective in controlling these terrible evils that were once considered just part of living in Colorado. The chemical also kills flora and fauna along the highways. Other dangers, respiratory as well as dermatological, have yet to be determined.
“We think a mag-chloride salesmen made a fortune around here,” said one Log Hill Mesa man whose vehicles have been harmed several times over the past two years. And, of course, now that the counties have bought the stuff they have to use it or look foolish.”
Spreading, dropping, spraying, dislodging, planting and/or applying untested chemicals on the planet has never been a good idea according to scientists who called the chemical a potentially lethal one.
“That’s poppycock, said a spokesman for Summit County, where mag-chloride has graced highways for years. “Magnesium-chloride is no more dangerous than eating genetically modified foods from our friends over at Monsanto.”
Unlike the petroleum companies, the mag-chloride lobby is fledgling and does not have the power to whitewash disasters or negate accusations, yet. Although not one spill has occurred, even they admit that it’s early in the game. – Ripple Van Winkle