How Chemical Cleaning Products Affect Aquatic Ecosystems

Traditional chemical cleaning products may effectively keep spaces clean, but they have a hidden environmental cost. Many of these chemical-based products contain harmful compounds that make their way into water systems, harming waterways, wildlife, soil, and aquatic habitats.

These pollutants can have far-reaching effects long after they’ve been used as a cleaner. Now more than ever, it’s vital for individuals and businesses to prioritize eco-friendly cleaning products that avoid leaving a lasting impact on the environment.

How Chemical Runoff Reaches Aquatic Ecosystems

When we use cleaning products, the water used to rinse surfaces or wash vehicles carries chemical residues into wastewater systems or directly into storm drains. Unlike wastewater treatment facilities, storm drains usually bypass filtration and flow directly into natural water bodies. 

While these systems are great for rainwater, car washes, and any other outdoor cleansers will quickly reach local waterways and aquatic environments. For household cleaning, even though wastewater is treated, it fails to 

Key Harmful Chemicals in Conventional Cleaning Products

Why exactly are chemical-based cleaning products so damaging? There are several harmful chemicals found in conventional cleaning products, with some of the worst offenders being:

• Phosphates and nutrient pollution:  Phosphates contribute to nutrient pollution, which can lead to a process that depletes oxygen in water and creates dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive.
• Surfactants and toxicity: Another prevalent group of chemicals is surfactants, which are designed to break down grease and oils but can also be highly toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms. 
• Microplastics in cleaning products: Some cleaning products include microplastics, used as abrasive agents. These microplastics do not degrade and accumulate in waterways, where marine organisms ingest them.

There are certainly other chemicals that can cause lasting environmental harm to aquatic life, local waterways, and soil, but the above chemicals are common and devastating.

Effects on Aquatic Life and Ecosystems

The impact of cleaning chemicals on aquatic ecosystems is profound and significant. Excessive phosphate can cause algal blooms, blocking sunlight from reaching underwater plants and depleting oxygen levels as algae decompose, which in turn creates uninhabitable dead zones.

Chemicals like surfactants and certain preservatives act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormonal functions in aquatic animals. This effect can lead to reproductive issues, developmental abnormalities, and population declines in species like fish and amphibians.

Additionally, bioaccumulation of toxins in aquatic organisms poses risks to the entire food chain. Contaminants ingested by small species, such as plankton, don’t end there as they are consumed by larger predators, eventually impacting humans who rely on seafood as a dietary staple.

Making Eco-Friendly Cleaning Choices Matters

By choosing eco-friendly cleaning products, individuals and businesses can significantly reduce the impact of harmful chemicals on aquatic ecosystems. While no solution is entirely free of environmental costs, opting for alternatives that are biodegradable, phosphate-free, and free from microplastics is a meaningful step toward protecting our water systems and the diverse life they support. Together, we can make a positive difference for the planet by prioritizing sustainable practices in our everyday cleaning routines.