What is Phosphorous? It is a naturally occurring element in all forms of life; for example, it is part of the structural framework of molecules such as DNA. All humans and plants contain phosphorus. Phosphorus is the 11th most common mineral in the earth’s crust. It is an essential nutrient and is part of the natural cycle of life.
It has many uses and applications other than just automatic dishwasher detergent, including vitamins, animal feeds, pharmaceuticals, glass, china, detergents and in the manufacturing of steel and plastics. Human and animal wastes are also sources of phosphorous.
Use in household automatic dishwasher detergents
In automatic dishwasher detergent, phosphorus is a multi-functioning aid that breaks up food soils (dried or greasy food) and provides consumers with clean dishes. It also ensures that no calcium-lime film remains on your glasses or dishes and prevents obstruction of your dishwasher’s jets and pipes and excessive water usage. There is now a federal regulation under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) that only allows a trace amount in household automatic dishwasher detergent. Phosphorus is used in institutional settings. Commercial dishwasher machines are designed for high volume throughput. Due to the unique chemistry of phosphorus, its elimination would increase the number of cleaning cycles required, thereby increasing water and energy usage to achieve the same level of cleanliness. This would add to the environmental load that all Canadians and businesses are trying to reduce plus it provides a level of sanitation for dishes.
Impacts on the environment and on blue-green algae
Phosphorus supports the growth of plants, including algae. When too much phosphorus is present, excessive amounts of algae can develop. This may lead to undesirable water quality impacts including reductions in aquatic life, poor taste, and odors in drinking water.
Whether limiting phosphorus in dish detergent will reduce blue-green algae in our waterways is a complicated issue. Reductions of phosphorus in dishwasher detergent will not solve the problem since these products account for less than 1% of the total phosphorus in our waterways. The issue is:
- Blue-green algae are, in fact, bacteria and not algae. The term is used to describe its appearance.
- Blue-green algae are technically known as cyanobacteria and are a phylum (or “division”) of bacteria that obtains its energy through photosynthesis. Blue-green algae require several contributing factors in order to form: nutrients, shallow water, warm temperature, and areas of slow moving water.
Despite this, you can still use your old dishwashing product. Although regulations in Canada have changed and products on store shelves are phosphate free, you are able to exhaust your personal supply of dishwashing product.
Dish filming
To prevent filming on your dishes, read the dishwasher use and care manual, make certain no items block the dishwasher sprayer arm so that enough water reaches the dishes, and ensure the water temperature is at least 120 degrees. Using a rinse aid may help minimize spotting and filming on dishes.
Common dishwashing problems, causes, and solutions
For film that is already present, we recommend a vinegar wash if the item is non-metal. Put two cups of white vinegar in a bowl and place on the bottom rack of the dishwasher. Run the glasses/dishes through a cycle with no detergent. Re-wash with your detergent to remove residual vinegar. For metal items, we suggest cleaning by hand using a stainless steel cleaner or silver cream.
Resources for additional questions
If consumers have questions about a specific cleaning product, consumers should contact manufacturers directly using the toll-free number on the package or by visiting the manufacturer website. For general information about dish care, visit www.healthycleaning101.org.