Environment and Health

If you take a look at a bottle of laundry detergent, you’ll find that the ingredients are rather vague. One popular brand listed, for instance:

* Cleaning agents (anionic and nonionic surfactants)
* Buffering agent
* Stabilizer
* Brightening agent
* Fragrance

Petroleum distillates (aka napthas): These chemicals have been linked to cancer, lung damage, lung inflammation and damage to mucous membranes.

Phenols: According to the National Institutes of Health, phenol is toxic and people who are hypersensitive to it could experience death or serious side effects at very low exposures. Plus, it is rapidly absorbed and can cause toxicity throughout the entire body. Typically, death and severe toxicity result from phenol’s effects on the central nervous system, heart, blood vessels, lungs and kidneys.

One common surfactant in U.S. laundry detergents is nonyl phenol ethoxylate (this chemical has been banned in Europe, and was found to slowly biodegrade into even more toxic compounds). Studies have found that this surfactant stimulates the growth of breast cancer cells and feminizes male fish.

Optical brighteners: These synthetic chemicals convert UV light wavelengths into visible light, which makes laundered clothes appear whiter (although does not actually affect the cleanliness of the clothing). They’ve been found to be toxic to fish and to cause bacterial mutations. Further, they can cause allergic reactions when exposed to skin that is later exposed to sunlight.

Phosphates: These chemicals are used to remove hard-water minerals to make detergents more effective, and to prevent dirt from settling back onto clothes during a wash. A major problem with them is that, when released into the environment, they stimulate the growth of certain marine plants, which contributes to unbalanced ecosystems. Many states have banned or restricted the use of phosphates for this reason, and you may see laundry detergents advertised as “low-phosphate” or “phosphate-free.”

Sodium hypochlorite (household bleach): This is a chemical precursor to chlorine, which is highly toxic and involved in more household poisonings than any other chemical. When it reacts with organic materials in the environment, carcinogenic and toxic compounds are created than can cause reproductive, endocrine and immune system disorders.

EDTA (ethylene-diamino-tetra-acetate): EDTA is a class of compounds used as an alternative to phosphates to reduce mineral hardness in water, prevent bleaching agents from becoming active before they’re put in water and as a foaming stabilizer. EDTA does not biodegrade readily and can re-dissolve toxic heavy metals in the environment, allowing them to re-enter the food chain.

Artificial fragrances: Many of these can be made from petroleum (see petroleum distillates above), and do not degrade in the environment. They’ve been linked to various toxic effects on fish and mammals, and often cause allergies and skin and eye irritation.

If you want to be sure that your laundry is as non-toxic and safe as possible, seek out a natural brand of laundry detergent. If you’re looking for a reputable brand, we highly recommend the Watkins Laundry Detergent.

If you demand clean clothes and a clean environment,
this is our most earth-friendly, high-performance
formula ever! Our biodegradable, phosphate-free
formula is concentrated to deliver a low cost per
wash that’s competitive with major brands. And
because it’s dye- and fragrance-free, it’s perfect for
baby clothes and for people with sensitive skin.
You’ll get fresh, clean and bright laundry using
either hot or cold water. It rinses completely away,
helping reduce static cling and saving you money!
Also, it’s perfectly safe for septic tanks. Watkins
Laundry Detergent is the best thing you can do for
your clothes, your children and the environment!

* Features:Certified by the EPA’s Designed for the Environment Program!
* 100% phosphate-free; biodegradable
* Concentrated; use only ¼ cup (60 mL)
* Low cost per wash—up to 80 loads per box!*
* Dye- and fragrance-free
* Gentle for baby clothes; recommended for sensitive skin
* Built-in fabric softener reduces static cling

* Works in hot or cold water

Testimonial—
Individual results may vary.
“Watkins Laundry Detergent is the best I’ve ever
used. The proof is in the white washes which have
turned out noticeably whiter and without the
additional bleach we customarily use in white
wash loads. Clothes come out dazzling white and
softer, with no added fabric softener needed.”
—Edward Pflug, Oklahoma

Visit www.watkins.aksvirtual.com for more information