system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Does the vast quantity of salt spread onto roads to prevent freezing have a negative effect on the local environment?

Currently experiencing an unusually intense cold snap in the UK and local gritters are out spreading in force. But when the ice melts and the salt dissolves, won't this leave a lot of salt water flowing into the ground etc?
gpt
short answer: yes, it's bad for the local environment. Salt run off from roadways gets into groundwater and is toxic for plants bc it prevents them from getting enough water, and essentially drying them out.

this run-off also feeds into our drinking water supplies, and while it's not likely to be too dangerous, it's considered a toxic chemical (some of the chemicals they treat it with aren't safe for consumption) so it is hazardous to our health in high concentration.

some towns are opting to use eco-friendly options like beet juice!