Laundry and dish detergents contain a variety of cleaning agents, some of which can pose dangers to health and the environment. Once pollutants from detergents exit your home, they eventually end up in local waterways or sources of drinking water. These substances harm not only the local ecosystem but can also cause serious health effects in people and animals.
Surfactants
Surfactants are detergent ingredients that help remove dirt and grime from your clothes or dishes. They include materials like nonylphenol ethoxylate, or NPE, and linear alkylbenzene sulphonate, or LAS. These products are derived from petroleum, which means they contribute to air and water pollution in both manufacture and disposal. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, surfactants are also toxic to aquatic life. They reduce fish and plankton populations and may also contribute to lower birth rates in some aquatic species. The EPA also warns of a link between surfactants and disruptions to the endocrine system. These chemicals can affect everything from metabolism to normal development, and they may cause reproductive problems and birth defects.
The EPA called for a voluntary ban on NPE- and LAS-based ingredients in detergent in 2006, and some manufacturers have responded with biodegradable or eco-friendly products.
Phthalates
Many cosmetic and personal care products contain chemicals called phthalates, which are used to add color and scents to lotions, makeup and detergents. According to the Environmental Working Group, phthalates are widely recognized as hormone-disruptors. They are linked to reduced sperm count in men, which can lead to fertility problems. Phthalates may also cause DNA damage in sperm or in the unborn fetus. These chemicals are even linked to a higher risk of miscarriage, and many believe that their effects on human hormone levels may contribute to excessive feminization of boys.
Look for eco-friendly products that are free of phthalates to avoid contributing to these problems.
Phosphorous
According to Indiana University, while many states have banned the use of phosphorous in laundry detergent, they still allow manufacturers to use this chemical in many dishwashing detergents. Once phosphorous reaches local streams and lakes, it contributes to a process known as eutrophication. During eutrophication, these waterways experience excessive growth of algae and other aquatic vegetation. The abnormally high levels of vegetation deplete the oxygen content of the water and kill off plants and other organisms. This can also have an impact on animals further up the food chain, who can no longer use the lake or stream as a source of water or food. Bacterial contamination caused by eutrophication can also impact your recreational use of local lakes.
