Asphalt is not harmed by salt. This is due to the fact that hot-mix asphalt pavement is an aggregate of stones, sand, and petroleum blended in proportions to meet the demands of the area being covered. It has been designed to endure the freeze-thaw cycle and is unaffected by salt or other deicing chemicals. The only thing that can harm asphalt pavement is heavy traffic or moisture. Both of these will weaken the adhesive bond between the rock and the resin used to bind it together. The best way to protect your road from salt damage is through prevention. Apply a good quality pre-emergent herbicide to kill vegetation before it has a chance to come into contact with any amount of salt. This prevents plants from absorbing any of the sodium from the salt and allows you to use a lower concentration of salt on your roadway. Mowing grass regularly is also helpful in reducing the amount of salt that reaches your pavement. Finally, have your tires rotated periodically so that they are using all of the rubber in each one and not some of it for home heating during cold weather. If you are forced to use salt during winter months, wear protective clothing when working with the material. Avoid contact with skin because salt does burn easily if it comes in contact with bare flesh. Also be careful not to breathe in the dust that is created when spreading salt. This can lead to problems with lung function later in life. Salt does not dissolve into asphalt, but it does attract water.