Do you Know What's in Your Laundry Detergent???

Every time I scratch the surface of a blog topic, I find myself pulling that loose thread on a sweater, which you can just keep pulling, pulling and pulling. Take something simple like laundry detergent. Do we even think about it or do we just buy the brands we are familiar with or which one is on sale? Our family has been using natural laundry products for a while so I haven't thought about it much in a while, but there is some pretty scary stuff out there that may be causing unintended consequences.

Take phosphates. Phosphates have been a common additive in many cleaning products, like laundry detergents. The problem was that phosphates passed right through wastewater treatment plants and into our lakes and rivers. So what, phosphates aren't dangerous, right? Well to us no, but phosphates are an important plant nutrient and the higher than normal phosphate levels were destroying the health of our lakes and streams by allowing algae to "bloom". By the late 1960s, nearly 10,000 public lakes had been affected by excessive nutrient enrichment by human activities. As a result of these concerns, phosphates have generally been banned in detergents.

You are probably asking what's the point since phosphates have already been phased out? The point is the repeating theme that we generally don't know the consequences to our planet until the damage is already done. In fact, you may not even know what's actually in your detergent since manufacturers of cleaners aren't required to disclose ingredients on product labels. So here are some things to look out for.

Petroleum based nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) are surfactants, which actually break down into something more toxic, nonylphenol. Wastewater treatment plants aren't effective at removing these compounds, and research indicates that even tiny concentrations of NPE metabolites interfere with the ability of fish and shellfish to grow, reproduce and survive. While Canada and the European Union have banned the use of NPEs in detergents, you can still get them here in the USA. A recent study by the Sierra Club has detected NPEs in 61 percent of U.S. streams they tested.

Another common surfactant, linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) isn't much better for our planet than NPEs. Like phosphates, LAS can deprive water of oxygen and kill aquatic life.

In addition to surfactants, petroleum-based synthetic dyes, fragrances, optical brighteners and other chemicals are often added to detergents for aesthetic appeal, but they can provoke respiratory problems or cause rashes. Let's not forget about chlorine beach, one of the most common brighteners. I was amazed to learn that in 2007, chlorine-based bleaches caused over 35,000 poisonings in U.S. children under 6 years of age.

So what can you do? First, know what you're using. Use detergents with plant based cleaners, and if your family is prone to allergies, select a detergent that is scent and dye free. Beware of detergents, which claim to be "green". Either look at the label, or use products from a company committed the environment. Better yet, just buy ‘em on BluePod.

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Sources:

HISTORICAL PERSPECITVE OF THE PHOSPHATE DETERGENT CONFLICT

The Truth About Toxic Cleaning Agents

European Union. 4-Nonylphenol (branched) and Nonylphenol Risk Assessment Report. Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, European Chemicals Bureau,Vol.10.

2007 AAPCC Annual Data Reports

Are Leading Brand Laundry Detergents Environmentally Friendly?