It has been known that phosphate has been bad for the environment for quite some time. Since 1977, the government has banned phosphate levels over 0.5 in laundry detergents. Why then, do Electrasol tabs contain 8.7% phosphate content? The gels have less, 4.9%, but still far more than the environmentally-safe limit.
Phosphates have been shown to do irreversible damage to water-based ecosystems, especially with regards to making dead zones in seas and oceans.
Thankfully there's already been some action taken against Electrasol et al -- Washington state banned them in several counties and Palmolive has already responded by making an eco-friendly version of their product: http://www.spokesmanreview.com/local/story.asp?...
But I think there's a potential to take this nation-wide, so I joined this boycott: http://www.thepoint.com/campaigns/save-the-envi...
Everyone should take a look. I don't have a dishwasher but I promised not to buy any Electrasol products until they lower their phosphate levels. I found out that there are plenty of good eco-friendly alternatives on the market and there's no point supporting a product that is as bad for the environment as Electrasol.
