Dishwasher Detergents With Phosporus Not Welcome in Washington

A statewide ban across Washington on high-phosphorus dishwashing detergents does not take effect until 2010, but this year state legislation brings better water quality protection in two counties - Whatcom and Spokane - where delicate environmental conditions demand immediate action.

To improve water quality in lakes, rivers, streams and marine waters, Washington is phasing out the distribution and sale of detergents that contain more than 0.5 percent phosphorus.

Because soaps designed for washing dishes by hand are phosphorus-free already, the new requirement affects only soaps used in automatic dishwashers.

"The work we've done in Lake Whatcom highlights the sensitivity of our environment to phosphorus," said Steve Hood, a water quality engineer at Ecology's Bellingham office. "Everyone should do what they can to minimize how much phosphorus enters the environment."

Phosphorus feeds algae blooms, and when algae die, their decay uses up oxygen, choking lakes and streams and suffocating salmon and other aquatic life. Large algae blooms may also result in the need for more treatment of drinking water supplies.

Lake Whatcom, the drinking water source for 87,000 people, is designated as an impaired water body because its oxygen levels are below state water quality standards. Ecology is working to determine how much phosphorus the lake can process and meet state standards for oxygen.

When the legal limit to phosphorus is in place in 2010, Hood says the real work will begin.

"This law isn't going to be the single solution to our water quality problems," Hood said. "Protecting our water from algae growth and oxygen depletion will require a significant change in the way we deal with stormwater. But we can all help by doing our part."

The new limits on phosphorus in dishwasher detergent are an extension of low-phosphorus requirements in place for laundry detergent since 1994.

While the law establishes limits on phosphorus and deadlines for compliance, it does not provide for enforcement actions.

Richard Grout, manager of Ecology's Bellingham office, said, "We're relying on retailers and distributors to do the right thing. And people want clean water, so we anticipate Whatcom County residents will start reading labels to make sure the products on the shelves comply with the law."

The law does allow one exception to the 0.5 percent phosphorus limit. In Whatcom County only, single-use packets of automatic dishwasher detergent that contain up to 2.0 grams of phosphorus per packet can be sold.

Many producers of popular dishwashing detergent brands have not yet developed effective phosphorus-free products for automatic dishwashers. But a few detergents are available now that meet the new requirements, and larger producers say they are developing new products that will comply with the new restrictions.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2008. All rights reserved.