Detergents

Detergents can seriously affect the water quality of local waterways. They are a universal contaminant of public water supplies. Some of pollutants they contain are as follows: phosphates, sodium, potassium, boron salts, enzymes, cellulose ethers, flurescers, silicates and sulphates with phosphates being the biggest offender.

When in sufficient quantities, detergents, even the biodegradable ones, can have a toxic effect on a wide variety of marine life! All detergents ruin the protective external mucus layers of fish, leaving the animal highly susceptible to bacteria and parasites. Furthermore, the detergents can cause extreme damage to the gills, thus making respiration very difficult if not impossible. Detergent concentrations as low as 5 parts per million will kill fish eggs and concentrations near 15 parts per million, will cause most fish to perish. Other aquatic life falls prey to the lower water surface tension caused by these detergents. When surface tension is low, fish can easily absorb organic chemicals such as pesticides and phenols. A detergent concentration of only 2 parts per million can cause fish to absorb double the amount of chemicals they would normally absorb.

Action

• Eliminate all outdoor detergent discharges

• Switch to a natural, chlorine-free, phosphate-free, non-petroleum based detergent (liquid laundry soaps usually are phosphate free); if in a crunch, look for detergents with less than 0.5% phosphates

• Look for pure soap or soap-based dishwashing and laundry substances; unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum distillates

• Measure laundry and dishwashing detergents carefully and use only the recommended amount or less. Use the 'suds saver' on your washing machine if available (this recycles the washing water).