| Phosphates are naturally occurring and important to | | | | alkaline level. This is particularly useful in dishwashers |
| nature. The problem is, we humans are allowing far | | | | as the high alkalinity is a factor in sanitising, or killing |
| too many phosphates into the environment. | | | | bacteria in the load. |
| Phosphates are used in animal feeds and fertilizers so | | | | Phosphates are also used to help with the actual |
| the agricultural industry is responsible for a large | | | | cleaning process itself. They help the detergent hold |
| proportion of the phosphates which enter our | | | | on to dirt particles and prevent them being |
| ecosystem. | | | | redeposited on your wash. |
| But, if you're thinking us mere mortals cannot have | | | | Because phosphates boost the effectiveness of our |
| an impact on phosphorous levels if the agricultural | | | | detergents so much they allow for thorough cleaning |
| sector is using them too, think again. We 'ordinary' | | | | even at relatively low temperatures. One of the main |
| citizens are responsible for a huge volume of | | | | reasons we have been so slow to move away from |
| phosphates entering the waterways each year. The | | | | phosphates in our detergents is that they are so |
| Water Information System for Europe concluded | | | | effective. |
| that where sodium tripolyphosphate was used in | | | | There are alternatives so many detergents are |
| household detergents it was the cause of 50% of | | | | becoming more green, cleaning products. But, those |
| available phosphates in municipal waste water. That | | | | replacements have not always been very positive for |
| means we can have a very immediate impact on the | | | | the environment either. Less polluting than |
| phosphates available to clog up our waterways. | | | | phosphates they still cause problems in the |
| The phosphates we are personally responsible | | | | waste-water treatment industry. |
| primarily come primarily from our laundry and | | | | One of the great things about imposed reductions in |
| dishwashing detergents. Phosphates have multiple | | | | permitted phosphate levels in detergents is that it |
| uses in our conventional detergents for washing | | | | has forced the manufacturers to come up with |
| laundry and dishes. | | | | better alternatives. Citric acid is now playing a part as |
| Phosphates soften the water used in our washing | | | | a water softener in many products. |
| appliances. This means they stop the minerals present | | | | In various European countries, blanket bans on |
| in the water getting in the way of the detergent's | | | | phosphate use in detergents have been occurring |
| action. Some minerals found in water will reduce the | | | | since the 1980s. If the Europeans with their |
| effectiveness of soaps in producing lathers and | | | | notoriously hard water can cope, I am sure the |
| generally doing the work we want of them. This | | | | United States with its much softer water could too. |
| interference with the minerals in our washing water | | | | It looks like Europe is set to widen these bans on |
| helps reduce limescale build up in the machine and on | | | | phosphates so making every-ones cleaning Eco |
| glassware where it is too often visible as clouding and | | | | friendly without the consumer even trying to help the |
| smears. | | | | environment. |
| Phosphates are used in detergents to maintain a high | | | | |