Where Did All the Phosphates Go?

[Opcode]

Continuing the discussion from Chemical issues with anodizing:

@jast

@jast

This IS kind of weird since the anti-phosphate movement has manifest almost exclusively state-level laws (and as a voter, I’d sure like to know how they snuck it past me, so if you know when/how the (allegedly freedom-loving) state of Texas implemented their ban it, I’d love to know).

scanning…scanning…scanning…
Nope. The word “why” does not appear in this excerpt, nor the original text, yet appears to be the only phrase addressed below…

@MathewBusby

Politics aside, phosphates were banned because they are not typically a target constituent in wastewater treatment plants. Tertiary (additional, beyond typical) treatment typically involves processes that can efficiently remove phosphates. Wastewater treatment plants typically discharge in to surface waters, where the phosphates essentially become fertilizer. Algal blooms then pull the dissolved oxygen down low enough to have an impact on wildlife (it kills fish).

Edited for clarity

Based on the answer, I’d say that Texas never did ban phosphates, or, at least, did not need to do so.

[MathewBusby]

I have no idea whether or not they’re banned in Texas (I’ve never worked on a project involving phosphate contamination specifically), but that is the reason it was banned 5 or so years ago wherever it was banned. It hasn’t been in laundry detergent for longer than that.

Actual fertilizer has the same effect when applied improperly. When fertilizer runs off of your lawn (or a crop field, etc.) it goes straight to the creek, no treatment plant even has an opportunity to remove it.