As the winter season approaches, calcium chloride becomes more abundantly used as a de-icer. However, the pellet form of calcium chloride may cause mild skin irritation and dryness upon direct contact. In fact, calcium chloride contact with wet skin may even cause severe irritation or burns. Since it is used in solid form to prevent icing of road surfaces and sidewalks, calcium chloride is a useful chemical compound, but it should be used with caution when handled directly.
Toxicology
Calcium chloride may act as a skin irritant by possibly burning moist skin and drying normal skin, causing mild to sever itching and flaking. If ingested, solid calcium chloride can burn the mouth and esophagus, as well as cause gastrointestinal ulceration and irritation, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Although it is determined as safe for consumer use, calcium chloride is listed as an irritant on the FDA's Generally Recognized as Safe List because it may cause irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory organs and can be extremely harmful if inhaled or swallowed at excessive levels. Gloves and full skin coverage should be used as protection when handling calcium chloride to prevent harmful skin reactions.
De-Icing
The most popular use of solid calcium chloride is as a de-icer for road and sidewalk surfaces, in which skin protection should be used if handling it directly. Calcium chloride lowers the freezing point of these surfaces and increases traction to prevent ice formation. When used to de-ice, it takes the form of miniature white balls, which can be manually distributed by hand or with a spreader. If distributed manually, gloves and full skin coverage should be used to prevent allergic skin reactions.
Environmental Damage
When calcium chloride is used, it has similar drying effects on trees as it does on the skin. As a de-icer, calcium chloride may temporarily damage some trees but doesn't kill any, according to the U.S. Road services. Needle browning of evergreen trees is the most evident side effect of using calcium chloride pellets, especially during the spring season after a brutal winter. Although no studies have been conducted to measure the exact effects, fir and pine trees may be changed by the use of calcium chloride, just as skin is changed with direct contact.
Generally Recognized as Safe
Calcium chloride is used as a firming agent in foods such as tofu and as an electrolyte in sports drinks. Extensive studies have been conducted by the FDA to determine the topical and ingested damage that calcium chloride may cause when present in these foods. Calcium and chloride are processed normally in human metabolism, making it safe to consume when used as an electrolyte or firming agent. Reviews by the FDA of varying concentrations of calcium chloride provide no evidence that suggests possible ill-effects at normal levels, which are estimated to be 160–345 milligrams per day for individuals. No evidence suggests that calcium chloride demonstrates a hazard to the skin when it is used at these levels.
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