ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of detergent and cleaning product regulation in North America and Europe. Historically, many of the environmental issues and regulations have focused on these two classes of detergent ingredients. Auxiliary components include bleaches, enzymes, optical brighteners, anti-redeposition agents, corrosion inhibitors, and hydrotropes. The benefits of laundry detergents are profound and manifold, and contribute significantly to modern quality of life. The European Center for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals has reviewed the use of polycarboxylate polymers used in detergents. Nitrilotriacetic Acid is an effective calcium and magnesium builder that has been successfully used in laundry detergents in Europe and Canada. A brief recounting of work documenting ecological attributes of surfactants must be given in a review of detergent regulation. The groundwater pollution by detergents and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been reviewed with emphasis on nonionic surfactants. The regulation-generated elimination of phosphates from detergent formulations has generated a significant formulation trend toward enzymes in many products.
