Water Use and Reuse Stream Projects

Environmental risk index for laundry detergents

Introduction

This small but pioneering project aims to develop a methodology for assessing environmental performance of detergents using a risk-based approach consistent with the draft guidelines for water recycling. This is to take account of salts, metals, nutrients and alkylphenolethoxylates (endocrine disruptor precursors), and apply this to 50 samples of detergents provided by Choice, and report results in a summary paper for Choice and in a journal paper to describe the methodology.

Objectives/Scope

To produce a journal paper on method for assessing environmental performance of laundry detergents, and provide results of this assessment for 50 products provided by Choice.

Activities

• Coordinate and quality control a nalyses done by Australian Water Quality Centre (AWQC) (physical, inorganics, nutrients, metals), Lanfax (major ions, phosphate) and CSIRO (APEs).
• Tabulate consolidated results.
• Apply risk assessment methodology to identify four classes of hazards and thereby determine relative levels of risk.
• Consolidate these into a smaller number of risks and rationalise environmental risk indices to extent possible.
• Consult with collaborators and clients over the results and methodology, and finalise both documents.
• Facilitate publication in Choice linked with washing performance tests undertaken by Choice.

Key Staff

Peter Dillon, Declan Page, Rai Kookana, Mike McLaughlin

Partners

Lanfax Laboratories, Australian Water Quality Centre, ARRIS Pty Ltd, Water for a Healthy Country Flagship, Australian and NZ Consumers Association , Department of Environment and Heritage

Timeline

2005– 2006

Links

• Australian Consumer Organisation
• Consumers' Institute of New Zealand, Inc.