What are phosphates and are they harmful to the environment?
Phosphates found in many household detergents contribute to the overgrowth growth of blue-green algae in our lakes and rivers. As a result, our water ways are choked through a process known as eutrophication, decreasing the quality of our water. Lakes and rivers contaminated by bluegreen algae can be toxic to humans who drink the water. Manitoba and Quebec are taking steps to implement a ban on phosphates. Recent Articles: CBC – Canada moves to cut phosphates to fight algae problem CBC – Manitoba moves to ban phosphates in dishwasher detergents.
