Department of Ecology News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Nov. 17, 1998

98-189

Contact: Jani Gilbert, Public Information Manager, (509) 456-4464; pager, (509) 622-1289

Polluting detergent being sold illegally in Washington state

SPOKANE - A detergent that can add polluting amounts of phosphorous to rivers, streams and lakes has been discovered being illegally sold in several grocery stores in Washington state.

Proctor & Gamble of Mexico manufactures the detergent called Ariel for sale in Mexico. It is illegal to sell, or distribute for sale in Washington, detergents containing more than 0.5 percent phosphorous because of the environmental harm they cause. Ariel contains 6.06 percent phosphorous.

Ecology has discovered another laundry detergent called Foca on Washington shelves as well. Foca contains 3.6 percent phosphorous.

"We are urging retail stores to take Ariel detergent off their shelves right away to prevent any further damage," said Megan White, manager of Ecology's water quality program. "I'm sure some store owners are unaware of this law, and if they knew what it was doing to our water they wouldn't think of selling it."

In 1993, the Washington State Legislature passed a law limiting the amount of phosphorous in laundry and dishwashing detergents for residential sale. The law, which went into effect in July 1994, limited the phosphorous in laundry detergents to a maximum of 0.5 percent by weight. Dishwashing detergents must not exceed 8.7 percent phosphorous by weight. The law did not apply to commercial or industrial uses.

Phosphorous is a nutrient that acts as a fertilizer. When it enters lakes and streams it promotes excessive growth of algae and other, larger plants.

Algae blooms cloud the water and cause odors. In extreme cases, algae blooms may kill fish, clog water intakes and create toxic conditions. Thick mats of algae interfere with recreational uses of the water.

"We have seen that removing these products from circulation really does help," White added. "Protecting our water is a top priority in Washington right now. It's imperative that we each do our part, especially if something as simple as avoiding these soaps can help so much."

In Spokane, the city prohibited the use of high-phosphorous soaps and detergents in 1990 because of the harm being done to the Spokane River. The limits reduced the phosphorous entering the sewage treatment plants by 20 percent.

Ecology is requesting that stores voluntarily take Ariel off their shelves immediately.

The state attorney general and county prosecutors are authorized to bring legal action against those who continue to sell high-phosphorous detergents.