The purpose of this paper is to review some of the recent contributions of the detergent industry to the national effort for cleaner water. Probably the single most important achievement to date has been the industry’s voluntary conversion from the use of alkyl benzene sulfonate (ABS) to linear alkylate sulfonate (LAS) and other biodegradable surfactants. This changeover was completed in mid‐1965 at a cost that has been estimated to exceed $150,000,000. Since LAS was the surfactant of primary interest, the bulk of the pre‐ and postconversion research, in terms of water‐pollution control, has been with that material. This paper concerns itself mainly with the over‐all impact of the conversion to LAS on water quality. Data from pilot and full‐scale sewage‐treatment plants throughout the country are included, which clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the conversion in terms of significantly lower surfactant residue levels.
A wide range of nonionic surfactants was studied in an extensive inter-laboratory biodegradability testing program carried out by member companies of The Soap and Detergent Association over a three year period. The objectives were to determine the biodegradability of a variety of nonionie surfactants, and to develop a reliable laboratory scale test method which could be used to evaluate the biodegradability of new candidate materials. The results of this research and testing confirm that the primary and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, the alkyl alkanolamides, and the alkyl amine oxides are all highly biodegradable. These materials represent the important classes of nonionics used in household and institutional synthetic detergents. The removal of these materials under conditions of normal secondary wastewater treatment can be anticipated. The diversity of structures represented in the complete nonionic surfaetant spectrum, and the problems of residue analysis imposed serious obstacles in the development of a single standard laboratory procedure which will correlate well with the limited field data presently available. The objective of establishing a standard test for all nonionics was not achieved. Residues of nonionic surfactants from household and institutional synthetic detergents do not appear to contribute to esthetic water pollution or to interfere with waste treatment processes. A variety of biodegradability assessment procedures, applicable to specific nonionics or nonionic groups are currently available and should assure that their residues will not adversely affect the quality of receiving waters. The Subcommittee plans to maintain a program for continued research in nonionic biodegradability testing.
North America, the U.S. and Canada, produces nearly one third of the world supply of soaps, detergents, and cleaners, primarily for household consumption. The U.S. contributes 95% of North American production. Cleaning product demand is steady and expected to remain so, but new demographic trends affecting households and living arrangements will probably stimulate consumer needs for more convenience‐oriented products. Environmental considerations and government actions in recent years have caused drastic changes in detergent composition, especially affecting laundry detergents. Government involvement in business decision‐making has expanded enormously with no prospects of reduction because legislators perceive government regulation of industry to be necessary for the attainment of broad social goals.
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