Newspapers / The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, … / May 17, 1984, edition 1 / Page 13
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Proposed ban on phosphate detergent could be costly to area consumers Thousands of people in Perquimans County may have to pay m** to *> their weekly wash. and without the tame (itisfactory reaulU get BOW. if a proposed law It PMSod in the legislative aeaaion which geta underway June 7, according to the people who make laundry products. The Department of Natural Resources and Community Development (NRCD) wants to remove from North Carolina shelves all laundry detergents containing phosphorus, also called phosphate the very ingredient that for nearly 40 years haa been getting clothes cleaner, says The So?p and Detergent Association (SDA). The NRCD claims that detergent Phosphorus, which is a non-toxic nutrient, contributes to the growth of blue-green algae in several streams in the eastern part of the state; however, water quality scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, among others, say that the removal of this small amount of phosphorus would have no noticeable effect on these bodies of water. Phosphorus performs several important cleaning functions, says Dr. Keith Booman, research director of the SDA. "It ties up minerals calcium, magnesium, iron-in the washwater, it helps break up dirt on fabrics and keeps it from settling back on the clothes, and it provides U?e proper alkalinity for cleaning, it is the single most effective agent for this purpose that the industry has developed. And it is non-toxic. " v Should the ban pass, manufacturers likely would turn to the use of an old ingredient, sodium carbonate, according to Mildred Gallik, the SDA's director of consumer affairs and a graduate home economist. "Based on experience in other areas that have tried bans, many consumers find that ft does not remove dirt as effectively " Phosphate, and it may leave dangling deposits of minerals on clothing and machine parts." According to Gallik, sodium carbonate also provides far less protection against brown stains on clothes, caused by iron, which is present in substantial amounts in most of the water in this state. "A detergent ban would be unfair to more than two million people in North Carolina who use well water which is hard and usually has an Iron high content," she says. "These are working people--f arm ers , mechanics, and laborers of all types who get their clothes dirty and need the cleaning power of the heavy-duty detergents which contain phosphorus. In addition, these people deposit their household waste into peptic tanks and not into municipal treatment systems, so they do not contribute to phosphorus levels in bodies of water." . In Perquimans County, some 2,440 (26 percent of the population) depend .on private wells for their water .supply. Documented studies reveal that if these consumers do not use phosphate detergents, they might Ag Institute holds graduation , Graduation exercises were held Friday, May 11, for the 23rd class of the Agricultural Institute at North ?Carolina State University. . Dr. H. B. Craig, Institute director, .said 115 associate dcegrees were awarded to students completing the two-year program, which prepares people to .manage farms and businesses related to agriculture. Henry M. Simons, Jr., executive .director of Farm Credit Bank Service, Farm Credit Banks of Columbia, SC, delivered the graduation address. ^ Other program participants included NCSU Chancellor Bruce R. Poulton; Dr. J. E. Legates, dean of the School of Agriculture and Life . Sciences; Dr. E. W. Glasener, director of academic affairs for the . school; and Craig. ; Graduating from Perquimans - County was Walter Wellington White ? ID. son of Mr. an? Mrs. W. W. 'White, Jr., Box 246, Hertford, . majoring in field crops technology. Johnson Whit* I 109 Morltvt St. 42S-7705 > it lh? only thinf yob J|A|| l_r J ? :i n w< yi. (/ iffO have to spend an extra 99 a year per person to wash clothe?...or about 924 925 a family. This means that in this county alone the people who use well water would spend an estimated total of $21,900 additional a year on laundering, in the form of more hot water, electricity, cleaning additives, and damage to clothes and washing machine parts. Statewide, an estimated 2,143,000 people use well water, a whopping one-third of the population, who Would have to shell out an additional estimated 919 million if there is a ban on phosphate detergents. The people of North Carolina already spend about $300 million a year doing laundry. Robert C. Singer, vice-president of the SDA, summarized the position of the association this way : "We oppose the ban because it would unfairly penalize consumers all across the state in an effort to focus on a few lakes in the eastern part. We know from research and experience that removing the small amount of phosphate from laundry detergents will have no real effect on the growth of blue-green algae. "Stores now carry detergents with and without phosphate so people already have a choice. A ban would deprive them of this choice, and would force ^nany thousands of consumers to use a product with which they may be dissatisfied." "The only effective way to reduce the level of phosphorus in streams which hsve a problem Is to stop or dramatically reduce urban and agricultural runoff, and to use chemical treatment in municipal wastewater plants. Hundreds of plants in this country are using chemical treatment, so we know that up to 90 percent of phosphorus as well as other unwanted elements can l^e removed from the water at low cost. A detergent t in would eliminate only to 15 percent of the total phosphorus, depending on the stream, not enough to make any difference. "The chemical approach to waste treatment is also the fair way, since only those communities that have a problem would bear the coat." "We hope," continued Singer, "that the voter* In Perquimans County will let their state legislators know right away that a ban should not be passed in haste, particularly when there is no statewide problem, and that more time should be spent looking into the most effective ways to protect North Carolina waters." What are the areas of concern? Algae has been a periodic problem along the lower Neuse and Chowan Rivers. There is some concern for two new reservoirs, although there is admittedly no problem now-Falls Lake between Durham and Raleigh, and Jordan Lake, south of Chapel Perquimans County Voters "Thank You" for your support and vote during the Commissioners race in the May 8th Democratic Primary. Your support and vote was greatly appreciated. Charles H. Ward Paid For By Charles H. Ward Hill. In a recent editorial (4-14-84), the "Sun-Journal" of New Bern said: "If a ban reaches enactment, those of us who are genuinely concerned about polluted streams-especially the Neuse River-will have lost heavily." "Two facts need to be kept in mind in discussing such a ban: (1) phosphorus apparently is not a pollutant nor a significant contributor to pollution, at least in the Neuse: (2) most phosphate that go into the state's waters come from sources other than detergents-only about 10 to IS percent could be stopped by a phosphate detergent ban." "In sum, phosphorus is not ? problem In the Neuse River and eveo if it were a problem a detergent ban would do very little to help." "Sadly, the phosphate detergent ban may well give the appearance of positive action. In reality, it will merely raise the cost of doing laundry. ..Certainly the river does not need and may not survive much more of the state's take-charge, then do-nothing attitude." Thank You From The Bob Jordan Campaign Thanks to our good supporters in Perquimans County. You are the ones that made our victory possible on May 8. Your continued support, along with all good Democrats, will be needed for a total victory in November. BOB JORDAN Candidate for Lieutenant Governor RICHARD BRYANT Perquimans County Campaign Chairman Paid For By The Bob Jordan Campaign Committee
The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, N.C.)
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May 17, 1984, edition 1
13
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