Phosphates
Phosphates are a nutrient vital to human, animal, and plant life. It is one of the most common substances in our environment, naturally occurring in our food, our water and our bodies. However, too much of a good thing is no longer a good thing!
Uses: extremely versatile and can be used for dish detergents, baking, water treatment (as in water softeners), metal cleaning, meat processing, processed cheese.
Found in: dish washing detergent, antifreeze, paints, and fertilizers.
Effects: acts as a fertilizer, and cause rapid growth of algae in our rivers, lakes, streams, and other waterways having a negative impact on aquatic life by robbing them of essential oxygen.
