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Formula changes are on their way
Automatic dishwasher detergents (ADD) have been making news. You may have read news stories about consumers reacting to legislative decisions in some states to ban the use of phosphorus in household automatic dishwasher detergents. In January 2006, the Washington State Legislature passed a law limiting the amount of phosphorus in ADD for home use to 0.5% (considered to be virtual elimination) effective July 1, 2008 in Spokane County and effective statewide on July 1, 2010.
Since January 2006, SDA members who produce ADD for the home have conducted research and developed new products, adjusted manufacturing facilities, realigned their ingredient supply chains, and have begun to introduce these new products to ensure as seamless a transition as possible. In order for retail supply chains to be efficient nationwide, manufacturers are creating non-phosphate ADD that can be effective throughout the U.S. During this transition period, consumers all over the country will be seeing these new products added to store shelves.
This is a nationwide commitment on the industry's part and will occur even in those areas where the phosphorus content in ADD is not restricted.
What Are Phosphates?
Phosphates are derived from phosphorus and have historically been one of the main ingredients in detergents. In dishwashing detergents, phosphates help to tie up water hardness minerals so these minerals won't interfere with cleaning or leave deposits on surfaces. Phosphates also help keep food-soil particles suspended in water after removal from the soiled surfaces and prevent them from being re-deposited onto dishes.
Why Remove Phosphates from ADD nationwide?
Phosphates are essential to plants and they're a great fertilizer. However, high phosphate levels in lakes and streams can cause algae to bloom, which can diminish the amount of oxygen for other aquatic life such as fish. Phosphates from household ADD are a very small proportion of the total contribution of phosphates to the surface waters. In fact, the State of Minnesota estimated phosphate from ADD was less than 2% of the total phosphorus that reached the state's waters. However, since it would be inefficient to provide two versions of the same product in today's retail supply chain, manufacturers are removing phosphates from ADD nationwide. [Note: manufacturers have already voluntarily removed phosphorus from laundry detergents nationwide.]
What Do the ADD Formula Changes Mean for Consumers?
Cleaning ingredients get changed all the time. Sometimes it's the result of legislation, but more often cleaning formulas are altered because of new research and/or in response to changing consumer demands. The first of the new non-phosphorus products by mass marketers, which have begun to appear in stores, are proof of the industry's commitment to making non-phosphorus products available. This transition is a significant undertaking that poses complex logistical challenges. For these reasons, the uniform effective date of July 2010, which has been adopted by other states so far, is essential to its success. SDA members are committed to providing cost-effective products by that date and, thus, consumers should see no difference in the performance of their automatic dishwashing detergents.
For more information about the impact of phosphate and phosphate detergents on the environment, visit the SDA Science website page on phosphate.
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