Eutrophication and Phosphates
Water is
life for every living thing on this planet. And it is a resource we must
protect from ignorant actions that may cause toxins to contaminate or
eutrophication to occur.
Eutrophication
is the process where algae blooms in a lake or stream to the point of depriving
other life in that environment of oxygen. This deprivation can be so bad that
the other life in the environment dies. This process has been linked to both
nitrates and phosphates from human activity. This video can explain it in more detail.
While nitrates
and phosphates are both naturally occurring, human activities such as farming
and washing, may introduce so much to an environment that eutrophication
happens. This usually takes place further downstream as the small amounts add
to amounts already in the water from other sources until finally causing
eutrophication in a lake, pond or other pooling point. Humans introduce nitrates
and phosphates into the environment from fertilizers used on farms, when the
rain causes run off to drain into local water supplies. Phosphates enter the wastewater
from households in cities and towns as well. The source of the phosphates:
detergents.
Both
dishwashing and laundry detergents have contained phosphates. And while each
load only drains a tiny amount of the chemical into the system the accumulation
of those doses downstream can become toxic and cause eutrophication. The
problem is so bad that regulators have passed laws banning phosphates from both
dishwashing detergent and laundry soap.
Why were
phosphates included in detergents? Phosphates are excellent degreasers,
removing grease and oily stains from clothes and dishes alike. It has been
proven that they are not necessary ingredients in detergents to get the same
results.
Phosphates
were removed from laundry detergents in the 1990s. Many people didn’t notice
because most soil and stains can be removed by simple agitation in a washing
machine. In the U.S., the removal of phosphates, in early summer of 2017, from
dish detergents used in automatic dishwashers has been more noticeable as
dishes are coming out of the dishwasher filmy, stained, and speckled. So many
people are not happy with it and are perhaps more unhappy than they would
otherwise be, because there was no notice that this was being done.
Some people,
called bubble bandits, have gone so far as to make their own phosphate
detergent. These people often justify their actions by pointing out washing
their dishes twice in the machine wastes electricity and washing by hand wastes
water. However, this may cause them difficulty later if they live in one of, currently,
7 states where phosphates in detergents have been legally banned. It is because
of that7 state ban that detergent makers finally agreed to remove phosphates
from their products It is not cost effective to maintain two formulas for sale.
There are
dishwasher detergents that are phosphate free, which work as well as phosphate
containing ones. Brands such as Seventh Generation and Bright Green are two of
the many eco-friendly product lines committed to helping people walk the line
between getting their dishes and laundry done and preserving and/or improving
the environment.
It is
legally optional for detergents to list their ingredients on the container.
However, their customer service line can answer the question of whether their
product contains phosphates. Even detergent companies keep blogs and maintain
FAQs online today.
There is
also the option to make your own phosphate free detergents. The cost per load
may prove to be cheaper than buying detergents. Sites such as eHow and Youtube
both have multiple recipes available and all ingredients are available at the
local grocery in most places.
Whether you
use store bought or make your own detergent use it wisely by following these
tips:
·
Use
a green or newly phosphate free brand.
·
Use
the least amount of detergent to get the job done. (Fill to cap line)
·
Bonus
tip: Use cold water formulas and wash in cold water to save electricity.
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Sources:
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