Environmental impact of cleaning products
This article's factual accuracy is disputed. (December 2021) |
septic systems. . (March 2024) |
Environmental impacts of cleaning products entail the consequences that come as a result of chemical compounds in
Chemicals & their impact
Alkylphenol ethoxylates
Triclosan
Triclosan (TCS) is a common households anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent found in soaps, detergents, and other disinfectants.[3] Of household products that contain TCS, 96% of the volume is eventually discarded down the drain.[3] Thus, TCS is mostly found in aquatic environments, and levels have been tested throughout the US to determine the amounts that are present in the environment. The most notable levels of TCS were found in wastewater (up to 26.2 μg concentration) and extremely high in biosolids found in sewage sludge (up to 35,000 μg concentration).[3] After this wastewater is treated, significant levels of up to 2.7 μg concentration of TCS are still found in water.[3] TCS poses an environmental threat due to its environmental accumulation and persistence, as it is impossible to be removed in its entirety. Overall, TCS is found in 57.6% of all rivers and streams tested throughout the US. In addition, TCS levels are transferred through the water into marine life. Other chemicals that come as a bi-product of TCS are known as degradation products.[3] During wastewater treatment, Methyltriclosan (MTCS) is produced as a result of methylation of TCS, which is not biodegradable and incredibly persistent throughout the environment.[3] In addition, the transformation of TCS during manufacturing leads to the production of dioxins into aquatic habitats. Dioxins have been proven to cause cancer as well as immense developmental issues in almost every vertebrate species.[4] Most notably, TCS has been found in aquatic snails and algae, with levels tested of 500μg kg−1 and 1400μg kg−1.[3] Similarly, MTCS has also been found to bioaccumulate in species, and in aquatic snails and algae, they were tested to have 1200μg kg−1.[3] Thus, the presence of triclosan in the water can pose immense threats to aquatic life as it bioaccumulates.
Propellant Gas
Products that are packaged in aerosol cans contain a chemical known as
Phosphates
Government regulation in the US
In terms of regulation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has headed the regulatory advancements in recent years. For example, in 1976, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was passed.[10] This act called for restrictions on some chemicals, mandatory ingredient reporting, and testing requirements. Some of the chemicals that were restricted included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos, lead-based paint, and radon.[10] Section 4 of this act called for testing of chemicals to determine any detrimental impacts that could come as a result. A sector of the EPA focused on "compliance monitoring," which ensures that companies are following the guidelines that have been put in place by the TSCA.[10] PCBs have been found in de-dusting agents, so the TCSA has proven important in the mitigation of this chemical in household cleaning. However, the TSCA is primarily focused towards industrial application of chemicals.
In 1972, the
Environmentally benign chemical alternatives
Alternative cleaning chemicals can be utilized in households without compromising its ability to clean effectively. The EPA has provided criterion for avoiding environmentally detrimental chemicals in household cleaning. They suggest choosing products with a low VOC content,
With the aim of decreasing net efficiency, some brands of laundry detergent have been reformulated for use with cold water. By allowing the consumer to use cold water rather than hot, each load cuts back significantly on energy costs.[12] The EPA suggests using products that are designed for use in cold water to conserve energy.[13]
2-Butoxylethanol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE)
2-Butoxyethanol is a common glycol ether used as a solvent in carpet, hard-surface, glass, and oven cleaners owing to its surfactant properties. It is a relatively cheap, volatile solvent of low toxicity.[14] It has the further advantage of not bioaccumulating.
See also
- Best available technology
- Environmental effects of laundry wastewater
- Green cleaning
- Marine pollution - Human impacts
- Trisodium phosphate
- Teeth cleaning twig
- Sustainability
- bioaccumulation
References
- ^ JSTOR 2404838.
- S2CID 86357049.
- ^ S2CID 30753558.
- ^ "Dioxins". National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
- ^ a b June 9, Jay Rawcliffe; Am, 2017 at 11:06 (8 March 2011). "Environmental impacts". Green Choices. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs): Your Environment, Your Health | National Library of Medicine". Tox Town. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
- ^ Ritchie, Hannah; Roser, Max (2018-04-05). "Ozone Layer". Our World in Data.
- ^ )
- ^ "Eutrophication". European Environment Agency. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
- ^ a b c US EPA, OA (2013-02-22). "Summary of the Toxic Substances Control Act". US EPA. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- ^ a b US EPA, OA (2013-02-22). "Summary of the Clean Water Act". US EPA. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
- ^ Martin, Andrew; et al. (2011). "For a Few, Focus on Green Products Pays Off". The New York Times.
- ^ US EPA, OCSPP (2014-11-20). "Greening Your Purchase of Cleaning Products: A Guide For Federal Purchasers". US EPA. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
- .