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Finding suitable green products for cage wash operation isn’t always easy.
There has been a move to “green” cleaning products as part of the environmental awareness evolution. Make no mistake, being environmentally conscious and making choices to improve the planet’s health is fundamental to the welfare of this and future generations.
However, like Kermit the Frog says, it is not easy being green. This article will examine a specific area in laboratory animal science, the cage wash operation, and the suitability of green products to this application.
Historical Background of Phosphate-Based Cleaning Products
Prior to the 1940s, alkaline detergents were primarily based on organic fats and were not very effective in soil removal because hard water reduced the cleaning ability of soaps. Research after 1940 developed synthetic products that were less affected by hard water and these products were rapidly introduced to the public as powdered or liquid laundry detergents. Most had builders (fortifiers or boosters) based on phosphates.
The phosphorous-based product efficiently and rapidly tied up hard water ions. Phosphorous (phosphates) also tended to suspend grease and soils into the water, which increased the ability of the detergent (acid or alkaline based) to remove the soil and thoroughly clean the surfaces.
In the 1950s and early 1960s, the widespread use of phosphate-based cleaning products (clothing detergents and the rapid rise of dishwasher cleaning products) caused disturbing changes in the natural waterways. Rivers had massive plant (algae) overgrowth caused by the influx of phosphorous in effluent wastewaters.
In the early 1970s public debate and local and state ordinances concerning the high phosphorous discharge encouraged industrial engineers to search for phosphate alternatives. The first to reduce phosphates were dishwashing products, especially those for automatic dishwashers. Phosphates were replaced with a variety of chemical ingredients (enzymes, additional surfactants, etc.). To the dismay of home dishwasher users, many of these products still do not clean and rinse spot free as well as the old phosphate products.
Water Hardness in the Eastern USA
The eastern USA aquifer is comprised of relatively hard water with high mineral content. Calcium and magnesium can be separated from the aqueous solution when heated in a cage washer at 180 degrees F. The liberated minerals then attach to the cage washer walls, impellors, etc., and also bind up chemical cleaning products.