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The Environmental Effects of Detergent

Because of the nature of cleaning agents widely used both industrially and domestically, detergents find their way into the ecosystem in large amounts. They are usually washed down drains into sewers, where they can get into the water table and contaminate wells and large bodies of surface water. When bodies of water become contaminated by detergent pollution, all forms of life in and around them suffer the effects.

  1. Effects on Fish

    • When the detergent concentration in any body of water reaches five parts per million, it becomes toxic to fish eggs. Higher concentrations of 15 parts per million begin to destroy the mucus layer all fish have that protects them from bacteria and parasites. A 1990 study by Pierre Laurent and Steve F. Perry showed that the morphology of fish gills adapts according to its environment. This includes acidified or polluted water, including water polluted with detergents. Not all changes to gill morphology are beneficial, and polluted water is shown in the study to lead to fish deaths.

    Effects on Algae

    • Many types of detergent contain phosphates, a naturally-occurring substance. Phosphates stimulate the growth of algae, so a buildup of phosphates can lead to an overabundance of algae in the water. Thick, plentiful algae blocks sunlight from penetrating into water and destroys life below the surface, such as fish and other plant life. To counter this, some green alternative detergents have eliminated the phosphates from their formulas.

    Color, Fragrance, Mildness and Antimicrobial Additives

    • Detergents, especially dish washing detergents, come in a variety of colors and fragrances. Dish washing liquid is available in formulas that are mild on the hands, and antibacterial and antimicrobial soaps and detergents are in wide use. Many additives to achieve these effects are toxic to marine and freshwater organisms. Since water treatment plants do not effectively remove or break down most of these additives, they find their way back into the water supply.

    Antibacterial Concerns

    • The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has raised concerns of damage caused by antibacterial soaps and detergents. While these products sound good to consumers, they have an overarching detrimental effect: They successfully kill most bacteria, but the ones that survive to reproduce eventually build up a resistance to the antibacterial ingredients. These new, stronger bacteria, called "superbugs" by the CDC, are a threat to humans and other animal life alike as our bodies have not developed a resistance to them.

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