Shouldn't public officials think about the long-term consequences of decisions like this?

Soaring rock-salt prices are prompting communities across the U.S. to try novel alternatives for clearing snow and ice, including molasses, garlic salt and a rum-production byproduct that smells like soy sauce.

Rock-salt prices normally surge in January and February, when communities running low on salt resort to buying the de-icing compound on the open market. But after last year's fierce winter taxed supplies, state and local government officials ordered tens of thousands of tons more salt ahead of this season. The high demand pushed salt prices to $60 to $120 per ton in many places, from last year's range of $30 to $50 a ton.

"But wait, what do we have here? They're using "non-toxic" ash from coal-fired power plants as a mixture, the same ash we established as toxic just a few days ago. When the roads dry up and all those particulates get kicked up into the air, you don't suppose people might, oh, I don't know, inhale them?"

link to toxins in ash:http://firedoglake.com/2008/12/27/has-tva-been-stockpiling-lies-along-with-toxic-coal-wastes/

http://crooksandliars.com/

Wonder what's being used on a lot of frozen roads..................

I did hear about the garlic salt, kind of funny. The mfgr had lots of expired product to get rid of and asked the town if they were interested. Win/win.

Coal-fired ash? I'd worry, especilly since the TVA was so adept at trying to lie about the hazards.