Formate, which dissolves light traffic lanes quite effectively, is a water-soluble and environmentally friendly substance that has many opinions.
Formate, an anti-slip agent used on the roads of the city of Lahti, stirs up debate among city residents.
Environmentally friendly formate has been estimated to rust bicycles, among other things. Walkers, on the other hand, complain that the substance gets carried inside the shoes with the shoes, causing a mess. Leppäaho admits that water-soluble formate together with other ingredients coming off the street can cause a mess.
– For years, there has been a discussion about why something can’t be done differently. That why put a wreath, when there are rings. Or why sand when it becomes dust. Now a different way of doing things has been sought, and it has its own downsides, says Leppäaho.
According to him, the city has also received positive feedback, for example from elderly people who don’t have to be afraid of slipping on the melted light traffic route.
Salt corrodes and accumulates in groundwater
The salt traditionally used in winter maintenance accumulates in the groundwater and increases the chloride concentration in the water. Leppäaho reminds that salt also causes rusting corrosion. Formate is a more effective melter than salt when the temperature drops sufficiently.
– If you want to keep the channel thawed, then the salt will no longer work when it drops below five degrees below zero. As for the groundwater, the formate breaks down when it gets into the ground, and thus does not get into the groundwater, says Leppäaho.
The use of formate will continue in Lahti at least for the duration of the current contract period. However, the city environmental committee has already discussed the search for a replacement substance.
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