Epsom Salts and the Septic Field

Epsom salts have long been celebrated for their healing properties and have been widely used in the fields of health and beauty, household cleaning and organic gardening. Commonly used as a bath soak, questions have been raised regarding their use in septic systems and what effects---if any---it may have.

Uses

• For health, epsom salts have been used in compresses, soaks, foot baths and even as a laxative. According to the Epsom Salt Council, beauty uses include exfoliation and facial aids, body scrubs and bath crystals. For garden enthusiasts, adding the salts to soil or water is believed to encourage healthy growth of plants.

Components

• The two major components of epsom salt are magnesium and sulfate. Epsom salt is not sodium chloride. The term "salt" more likely refers to the specific chemical structure of the compound, although people have mistakenly believed it refers to the crystalline structure of epsom salt, which appears similar to table salt. Everyday household use of epsom salt for health, beauty or garden use is unlikely to cause enough discharge of epsom salts into a septic system to cause any concerns.

Benefits

• Studies have shown that both magnesium and sulfates have many different beneficial properties. Magnesium helps ease stress, improves sleep and concentration, helps muscles and nerves to function properly, regulates activity of enzymes, prevents artery hardening and blood clots, improves efficiency of insulin and oxygen use and reduces inflammation, relieving pain and muscle cramps. Sulfates help to flush toxins, improve nutrient absorption, form brain tissue and joint/mucin proteins and also help to prevent and ease migraine headaches.

Operation

• A septic system is a waste disposal unit that regulates waste from a home. A main drainage pipe from the home leads to a tank. Waste breaks down into sludge or scum that stays in the tank while water waste exits through another drainage pipe into a drainfield. The sludge/scum is later pumped out clearing the tank for more wastes.

Theories/Speculation

• Concerns have been raised as to whether Epsom salt is harmful to a septic system. The EPA warns not to dispose of hazardous material through a septic system. However, epsom salt is not hazardous material since it can be used internally. It's also absorbed through the skin and is soluble, making any amount caught in a septic system minute and more likely to be passed on through water waste with normal use.