Dear Ian,

Cleaning products are really a very broad family of products (from household cleaners to industrial cleaners for very different purposes). I would suggest to omit 'traditional' from the question raised. Some 'traditional' cleaners might be classified as eco friendly, while some newly developed products might imply several threats to the environment.

I would not consider anti-microbial sprays as related products, however, often unnecessarily anti-microbial agents are included in cleaning products.

In summary it is the responsibility of the manufacturers of excluding/replacing harmful compounds and of the consumers (individuals and industrial alike) of looking for safe products.

EDTA and NTA (an alternative complexing agent) and antimicrobial agents are one major problem.
Further, the use of surfactants with limited biodegradability - one major group of concern nonionic surfactants of the alkyl phenol type (several times discussed at this forum) and the use of chlor related products for bleaching.

In almost every case safer alternatives exist!

Kind regards
T. Sobisch

Mr. Fowler:

One of the few problems associated with chemicals coming into a wastewater treatment plant is the inability of both physiochemical and biological process being unable to remove/degrade the chemical in question.  Take for example the chemical 3,4,4'-trichlorocarbanilide (triclocarban or TCC).  It is an ingredient normally added to those hand soaps, cleaners, and other personal care products to kill germs.  According to research conducted at John Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health (Baltimore) this chemical persists in the environment long after it has been used.  The researchers' study of triclocarban contamination in US waters resources was published in the August online edition of Environmental Science and Technology.  Also, the persistence of these antiobiotic chemicals radically changes their effectiveness as biocides, since the bacteria become immune to them.

Dear Ian,

though I am not able to help you with the new question here a supplement.

Further to consider extreme pH range (acidic or basic cleaners), which gets a problem when not neutralized.

Solvent based cleaners, which become a problem when hazardous solvents are used.
A 'good' example is the cleaner 'Simple Green', which does not contain a 'green' solvent but the blood poison butoxyethanol.


Dear Grrun,
it is not a law of nature that 'compounds that came into extensive use to solve a problem caused by compounds that they replaced' will lead to the next severe problems.
Despite human activity will never result in 'zero emmissions' the responsible use and development of scientific and engineering knowledge can make a difference. However, our all responsibility is to prevent doing the same mistakes over and over again.
As an example it seems to be excusable that asbestos, PCB, chlorinated solvents, Freons were in wide spread use given the very special favourable properties they posses, who thought that...
But given the related experience it should not be allowed to introduce new chemicals and to implement gen technology without clarifying the risks first.

Kind regards
T. Sobisch

Dear Ian,
            Based on our own experience there are a number of ways to counteract the effect of "harmful" chemicals on treatment systems. The effect tends to be more pronounced in small systems such as septic tanks and package treatment plants. A combination of the use of more ecofriendly cleaning products together with careful selection of biological dosing times can deal with most issues and retain performance.
                           If this is of interest please feel free to contact me.

Best regards,
Cgillen
cgillen@biofuture.ie