The minister’s assurance came on the back of a study conducted by the Indian Institute of Science which held phosphates as a major source of pollution in lakes and the cause of fires and sudden growth of algae. The minister was responding to a query from a student following his talk at a seminar on `Climate change and mitigation\', organized by the Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc and World Organisation of Students and Youth. A question hangs over whether a ban would resolve the issue of phosphate pollution because a large amount of the chemical is also found in sewage discharge. Phosphates are used to treat hard water and get rid of grease and food particles in dishwashers. The debate on phosphate pollution first started in the US in the 1960s when rivers and lakes turned bright green due to growth of algae. A study by scientists identified phosphates in detergents as the culprit. It was subsequently banned in several states and the European Union stopped its use in 2013. There is no regulation to ban the use of phosphate in detergents in India but a decision by Procter and Gamble to stop using the chemical world-wide will have a positive effect and hopefully, nudge Javadekar into initiating the process for ending the use of the chemical.
Green detergents
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar has said he would consider banning detergents that contain phosphates, a major source of pollution in water bodies.
