Phosphates and Automatic Dishwashing Detergents

Phosphates and Automatic Dishwashing Detergents

Lashbrook, Ross

County Advisory Committee on the Environment
Host contact: Bishop, Val

Evans, Doug
Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies

TP-309

2001

U-Links Office and online

Haliburton County

Environmental impacts of phosphates in dishwashing detergents

The use of phosphates has continued in automatic dishwashing detergents (ADD's) despite recognition of the impact of phosphorus on aquatic environments. This project looked at the phosphate concentrations in major label products as well as their potential to impact the environment. Many recent reports have concluded that the impact of a phosphorus ban in automatic dishwashing detergents would not be significant enough to prevent eutrophication.

Further, a ban would not improve lake water quality, as ADD's contribute a relatively small amount to total phosphorus loadings to most major lakes, between 2% and 10%. However, these studies have not looked specifically at the use of ADD's in cottage country, where septic systems are often inadequate to protect water from nutrient enrichment.

Trent University