Monday, July 14, 2008

Are there Dangers in Dishwasher Fluids?

We read this great article from 'make GREEN come true: Green living tips for a sustainable life' and want to share it with you. Thank you author!

According to EPA data, there are harmful substances in many dish washing fluids, both for automatic dishwashers and for hand washing. While the chemical composition and concentrations vary between those for dishwashers and those for hand washing, neither have a history of being safe. Automatic dishwasher fluids can be harmful or poisonious if swallowed, and can cause skin irritation. Phosphates in automatic dishwasher fluids can compromise up to 1/3 of the fluid. Once these phosphates enter our water supply, they can pose other dangers as well. Phosphates in high concentrations can create a buildup of algae and kill fish. While hand fluids are milder in comparison, many still contain high levels of phosphates. Fortunately there are alternatives that are now available. Many are available at local grocers and department stores or can be ordered in bulk online:

Automatic Dishwasher Fluids/Powders/Tablets:

Hand Dishwashing Liquids:

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