Why Should You Use Low-Phosphate Detergent?
Phosphorus, also called "phosphate" in detergents and fertilizers, enters an area's water supply through household waste and groundwater runoff, contaminating the water supply. In some areas, phosphate contamination has become so troublesome that detergents and other substances containing high levels of phosphates have been banned. Low-phosphate and phosphate-free detergents exist to give consumers an alternative for their household needs.
Effects of Phosphate
When phosphates, often used as commercial fertilizers, enter the water supply from a household's waste laundry or dishwater, the chemicals can fertilize the plants in it, specifically algae. The algae grows too much and too fast because of the phosphorus fertilization. The bacteria that eat the abundant algae become overfed and multiply too much. When there is too much bacteria eating the algae in the water, the algae no longer makes enough oxygen for the fish and other animals that live in the water, upsetting the ecosystem.
When water makes it to a water treatment plant for treatment to use in homes and businesses, the plant must remove the phosphates in the water to make it safe for consumption and use by humans. Removing phosphates from water takes time and money, an expense passed on to the consumer. When a wastewater treatment plant removes phosphates that have come to it from consumers' wastewater, the plant disposes of the phosphates into the area's waters, causing pollution.
Cutting Down on Phosphates
Some phosphorus occurs naturally as a result of human and animal waste. Large factories use phosphates in industrial processes. Consumers at home have very little control over these types of phosphate pollution.
According to Washington state, where the Department of Ecology has begun banning phosphates from consumer detergents, 10 to 12 percent of phosphorus in municipal wastewater treatment plants comes from household dishwashing detergent. That 10 to 12 percent, plus additional amounts that come from laundry detergent, can be reduced or eliminated if consumers choose low-phosphate or phosphate-free detergent for washing dishes and laundry instead.
Phosphate Alternatives
Many manufacturers present consumers alternatives to phosphates in dish and laundry detergent. Other ingredients, such as enzymes, can remove stains and break up food to clean effectively. Find a low-phosphate or phosphate-free detergent by checking the label, where the phosphorus content is listed near the ingredients. If you cannot find low-phosphate alternatives, ask your store manager to start carrying these items.
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