Replacement of phosphates in detergents

Government policy in the Netherlands aims at reducing phosphate inputs into surface waters by (I) adding phosphate removal facilities to sewage treatment plants, and (II) simultaneously banning phosphates from detergents. Several reasons are given for the necessity of detergent phosphate banning: reasons of environmental requirements and cost, but also of public acceptance. Four alternatives to phosphate are discussed briefly: soap, Citrex-S5, NTA (nitrilo-triacetic acid), and zeolites. All four are available in the Netherlands, as are detergent formulations containing them. In a simplified comparative assessment of environmental properties of phosphate substitutes and phosphate itself, the substitutes appear relatively safe. In January 1980 the results of a detailed environmental assessment of phosphate substitutes have been published, together with the text of an agreement between government and detergent manufacturers on a phosphate reduction program for the next three years.