# Incongruence between residential uses and perceptions of fertilizers and deicers

## TL;DR

This study compares how residents in Ohio use fertilizers and deicers, finding differences in their motivations and perceptions of environmental impact.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the distinct motivations and environmental perceptions behind fertilizer and deicer use on private properties.

## Key findings

- Residents use fertilizers mainly for property appearance and consider their environmental impact more than deicers.
- Deicer use is driven by safety concerns and perceived as more neighborly.
- These findings can help design outreach programs to reduce environmental impacts.

## Abstract

Fertilizers and deicers are common materials for property maintenance in the Midwest, however, their application contributes to negative environmental impacts when applied incorrectly. While fertilizer use is well researched, deicer use on private properties is not. This research aims to ascertain whether patterns of fertilizer use are different from those of deicer use in Hamilton County, Ohio, and determine what factors influence a resident’s decision to use these materials. Survey data were collected from 110 single-family households (38.9% response rate). Respondents are motivated by property appearance to apply fertilizers. Deicer use stems from safety concerns. Respondents were significantly more likely to consider the environmental impact of fertilizers than deicers. Respondents felt that using deicers is a more neighborly practice while using fertilizers reflects more positively on them in their neighborhood. This information can be used to develop outreach programs to reduce the environmental impacts of fertilizers and deicers.