Number: 1979-17
WHEREAS, phosphorus has been demonstrated to be a limiting nutrient in many inland waters of the United States, increasing the rate of eutrophication in those waters; and
WHEREAS, eutrophication results in over-production of algae and other aquatic plants, inhibiting recreational use of those waters; and
WHEREAS, phosphorus is the major essential aquatic plant nutrient significantly contributed by man and his activities and is thus potentially controllable; and
WHEREAS, phosphates in laundry detergents and other household and commercial cleaners significantly contribute to phosphorus loadings of many of the nation’s waters; and
WHEREAS, more than 40 million Americans are living in areas where phosphate home laundry detergents have been banned–levels of phosphates in such detergents have been limited to trace amounts in the states of Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and New York; Dade County, Florida; and the cities of Akron, Ohio, and Chicago, Illinois; and currently are limited to 2.2 percent in Canada as part of a phased elimination; and
WHEREAS, liquid and powdered non-phosphate household laundry detergents are readily available, safe, effective, non-polluting, and cost comparable to phosphate detergents; and
WHEREAS, all the Great Lakes and their connecting waters, and approximately two-thirds of the inland lakes of the Great Lakes Basin are phosphorus limiting; and
WHEREAS, the Water Quality Board of the International Joint Commission, the Great Lakes Basin Commission, and Region V of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have recommended a ban on phosphates in home laundry detergents in the Great Lakes Basin; and
WHEREAS, it may be determined that such restrictions are ecologically advisable in other parts of the United States;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 22-25, 1979, in Toronto, Ontario, hereby supports restrictions on phosphates–in home laundry detergents to not exceed 0.5 percent phosphorus by weight, and in other household and in commercial cleaners not to exceed 11 percent phosphorus by weight–in the Great Lakes Basin and in other watersheds in the United States where phosphorus from detergents is shown to cause excessive aquatic plant growth.