Scholarly record

IMPOSING LIMITS ON POLYPHOSPHATES IN SYNTHETIC DETERGENTS AS A WAY TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF WATER BASINS AND COURSES USED FOR COMMUNAL NEEDS AND DRINKING WATER SUPPLY

I.V. May, S.V. Kleyn, Н.В. Зайцева, Svetlana A. Vekovshinina

Abstract

The Russian Federation proposes to impose limits on use of polyphosphates (tripolyphospahte, phosphate compounds, and phosphor) in synthetic detergents in the Eurasian Economic Union. The primary reason for this proposition to make amendments into the EAEU countries legislation is a possible decrease in quality of natural water objects used as drinking water supply sources. When it comes to phosphor derivatives, this deterioration is caused by eutrophication. Analysis of hydrological and hydrochemical data revealed that serious problems related to eutrophication of water basins and courses occurred in many EAEU member states. Thus, in the Republic of Belarus, anthropogenic eutrophication occurs in almost 92% lakes in Belarus Poozerye. Overgrowing in mesotrophic and eutrophic lakes varies from 16 to 50%. Overgrowing in dystrophic lakes reaches 90-100%. Rather unfavorable situation is observed on Vilia, Mukhovets, Sozh, Neman, Berezina, Dnepr, and Zapadnaya Dvina rivers in areas close to industrial centers. Eutrophication occurs in rivers on plains and stagnant water basins in Kazakhstan where water doesn?t move intensely and there is no aeration (more than half out of 69 rivers); it requires additional expenses on environmental protection. Eutrophication results in deaths and disorders in life activities of significant biological groups, namely fish and algae. Water-marsh complexes have practically disappeared in Chuyskaya Valley. Experts analyzed long-term data on dynamics of blue-green algae in Moscow River and in an area close to the water intake point of Rublyovskaya water treatment station; the analysis revealed a trend for a growth in overall blue-green algae quantities together with a growth in contents of primary biogenic elements. Negative effects produced by water-bloom on water quality and, consequently, on population health, become obvious via occurrence of hazardous substances in water produced by blue-green algae. Results of examinations performed on ?blooming? water basins in the north-west regions in Russia (including Razliv Lake, Kurshskiy bay near Kaliningrad, etc.) revealed that all water samples contained blue-green algae toxins: hepatotoxins produced by certain blue-green algae strains (Microcystis, Anabaena, Oscillatoria, Nodularia, Nostoc, Cylindrospermopsis and Umezakia); neurotoxins produced by some Aphanizomenon and Oscilatoria strains; blue-green algae belonging to Cylindroapermopsis raciborski stem; cytotoxins; etc. All three types of toxins tend to have the following properties: they are highly toxic; produce adverse effects even in minor concentrations (?g/L); can penetrate a body orally, through skin, or via inhalation; are highly resistant to high temperatures, water chlorination and strong acidification. Toxins are not eliminated during water treatment and they cause health risks. In some cases water treatment requires substantial expenses. It was shown that a decrease in polyphosphates contents in synthetic detergents could be achieved via replacing tirpolyphospahte with biologically safe components such as zeolites and/or trisubstituted sodium citrate. Hygienic standards for detergents existing in Russia specific that contents of ?phosphate compounds recalculated as per ?2?5? should not exceed 17% (apart from water softeners), and 30% in water softeners. We propose a new limit to be fixed at not higher than 0.5% phosphates recalculated as per ?2?5. Ecological and economic analysis of probability and advisability of changes into the standard has been accomplished.

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