Laundry Detergents, 4. Ecology and Toxicology

Abstract

The article contains sections titled: 1. Ecology 1.1. Laundry, Wastewater, and the Environment 1.2. Contribution of Laundry to the Sewage Load 1.3. Detergent Laws 1.3.1. Development of the European Detergent Legislation 1.3.2. Regulatory Limitations on Anionic and Nonionic Surfactants 1.3.3. Primary Biodegradation Test Procedures 1.3.4. Regulation of Maximum Phosphate Content in Detergents 1.4. General Criteria for the Ecological Evaluation of Detergent Chemicals 1.4.1. Concept 1.4.2. Environmental Exposure Assessment 1.4.2.1. Biodegradation 1.4.2.2. Biodegradability Standard Test Methods 1.4.2.3. Supplementary Biodegradation Test Methods 1.4.2.4. Exposure Analysis 1.4.3. Assessment of Environmental Effects 1.4.3.1. Basic Ecotoxicity Tests 1.4.3.2. Subchronic and Chronic Ecotoxicity Tests 1.4.3.3. Biocenotic Ecotoxicity Tests 1.4.3.4. Bioaccumulation 1.4.4. Process of Environmental Risk Assessment 1.5. Ecological Characterization of Main Detergent Ingredients 1.5.1. Surfactants 1.5.1.1. Anionic Surfactants 1.5.1.2. Nonionic Surfactants 1.5.1.3. Cationic Surfactants 1.5.2. Builders 1.5.2.1. Zeolites 1.5.2.2. Polycarboxylates 1.5.2.3. Citrates 1.5.2.4. Sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash) 1.5.2.5. Nitrilotriacetate (NTA) 1.5.3. Bleaching Agents 1.5.3.1. Sodium Perborate 1.5.3.2. Sodium Percarbonate 1.5.3.3. Tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) 1.5.4. Auxiliary Agents 1.5.4.1. Phosphonates 1.5.4.2. EDTA 1.5.4.3. Enzymes 1.5.4.4. Optical Brighteners 1.5.4.5. Carboxymethyl Cellulose 1.5.4.6. Dye Transfer Inhibitors 1.5.4.7. Fragrances 1.5.4.8. Foam Regulators 1.5.4.9. Soil Repellents 1.5.4.10. Dyes 1.5.4.11. Sodium Sulfate 2. Toxicology 2.1. Detergent Ingredients 2.1.1. Surfactants 2.1.2. Builders 2.1.3. Bleach‐Active Compounds 2.1.4. Auxiliary Agents 2.2. Finished Detergents 2.3. Conclusions

Detergent pollutants decrease nutrient availability in soil

“…been known to cause eutrophication; however, regulations banning phosphate in detergents have caused companies to turn to surfactant detergents, which still have potential toxic effects connected with their surface-active properties (4). Additionally, surfactants (particularly alcohol ethoxylate, a component of the regular detergent used in this study) have an inhibitory effect on soil enzyme activity and nutrient cycling, according to previous studies (5).…”

“…This study focused on the environmental effects of traditional and green detergents on soil. The Environmental Protection Agency lists 'switching to "green" cleaners' as a method of pollution prevention for homes and schools, and detergent products contribute to about 10% of organic matter in domestic wastewater (4,5). Any toxic soil pollutant, including the ingredients of detergent, can directly harm soil microorganisms (2).…”