Europe taking phosphates out of wash in water clean-up

[catgirl]

Source: AFP

BRUSSELS (AFP) – Europe took steps Thursday to ban phosphates from laundry detergents in little over a year in a bid to clean up its rivers, lakes and marine waters.
A European Commission proposal said the ban aimed to reduce phosphates found in waste water which, when discharged, can cause algae to grow at the expense of other aquatic life -- a phenomenon known as "red tides" or "green tides" that scientists call "eutrophication."
The ban, to apply from January 1, 2013, will not affect detergents used for automatic dishwashers or by professionals as technically and economically feasible alternatives are not yet available across the European Union.
Phosphate-free washs "will ensure that European citizens benefit from an increased water quality," said Antonio Tajani, the Commissioner for industry.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101104/sc_afp/environmentwaterphosphateseu

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Interesting that this one of the causes of red tide algae. Time for the rest of the world to follow suit.