Chen Yuquan,Tan Qiang

Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine,China

Li Mingfang

The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine,China

Abstract At present,there are many problems in detergents,such as environmental pollution and bacterial resistance,which have puzzled many researchers.This article aimed to review the development of detergent problems,and try to point out the countermeasures to deal with these problems.These strategies include formulate the green development policy of detergents and improve the practicability of the policy,strengthening the awareness of the standard use of detergent,enhancing the publicity,establishing and improving the enterprise safety standard system of detergent products,strengthening and improving the monitoring system of detergent waste water,intensifying the research and development of new safe and green non-toxic detergent,researching and developing pure Chinese medicine enzyme detergent,researching and developing completely herbal compound enzyme detergent.

Key words detergent;bacterial resistance;environment;strategy;green environmental protection

1 Overview of detergents

In recent decades,the detergents industry has developed rapidly people’s demand for detergents with the advancement of science and technology.Detergent is a general term for a class of substances that have a cleaning effect on the surface of an object,including necessary components such as surfactant and auxiliary components such as lotion aid,stabilizer,bacteriostatic agent,thickening agent.[1]Surfactants are compounds that dissolved or dispersed in liquids.The molecules of these compounds can reduce the surface tension of the water,so that dirt and oil stains can be well dispersed into the washing solution.Surfactants can be divided into cationic surfactants,anionic surfactants,zwitterionic surfactants and non-ionic surfactants.[2]According to different washing objects,detergents can be divided into laundry detergents,tableware detergents,glass detergents,toilet detergents and skin care detergents.According to the appearance form of detergents,detergents can be divided into solid detergents and liquid detergents.According to the source of raw material ingredients of detergents,detergents can be divided into natural detergents,semi-synthetic detergents and synthetic detergents[3,4].The world’s first synthetic detergent was a short-chain alkylbenzene sulfonate developed in Germany during World War I.Since then,the synthetic detergent industry has developed rapidly.By 1960,the total output of synthetic detergents abroad was 3.43 million tons,and non-ionic surfactants and proteases were first added to detergent formulations.By 1970,the total production of detergents had risen to 8.35 million tons,with an increase rate of 143.44%.From 1970 to 1980,detergent output increased nearly twice.At the same time,liquid detergent,cream detergent and block detergent rapidly developed,compound detergent,concentration detergent,enzyme adding detergent,no phosphorus detergent,bleaching detergent,soft detergent,low satiation detergent,sterilization detergent and other various effects of the detergent emerging.In 1980,Germany was the first successful listing of heavy scale liquid detergent.At the same time,the European detergent industry put into production of phosphorus-free detergent.In 1987,concentrated detergents came out in Japan.[5]In 1997,the detergent of Brazil,Mexico,Argentina,Colombia and Venezuela increased by 7% annually.As of 2019,the U.S.laundry detergent market penetration is 91.4%,and the Japanese is 79.5%.In the 21st century,with the intensification of competition,the competition among multinational detergent companies leads to the reduction of product life,and finally makes detergent products show different regional characteristics and advantages.

Synthetic detergent industry in China started in 1960,but developed rapidly.Especially after the reform and opening up in 1978,the detergent industry developed rapidly,such as enzymeadded washing powder,bacteriostatic detergent,concentrated detergent and many other varieties gradually developed.[6]In 1985,the production of synthetic detergents exceeded 1 million tons.At the same time,it introduced sulfur trioxide sulfonation technology,washing powder production technology,washing powder packaging technology,liquid detergent preparation,packaging technology,etc.,so as to make Chinese synthetic detergents sulfonation and powder spraying production technology to reach the international advanced level.By the end of 2008,China’s total detergent output reached 6.8 million tons,more than six times that of 1979.In 2015,the production of synthetic detergents in China exceeded 13 million tons.[7]In 2019,China produced about 10.921 million tons of detergent products(synthetic washing powder,liquid detergents and soaps).According to the China detergent industry 13thFive Year Plan proposed by the target,by the end of 2020,the proportion of domestic clothing liquid detergent accounted for 60% of the total detergent.Since China entered the building of a well-off society in an allround way,the synthetic detergent industry technology and products continue to green transformation process,leading China’s synthetic detergent industry in technology,products,brand and market to make comprehensive progress,greatly narrowing the gap between the developed countries.So far,our country has formed relatively complete system in the raw material,product,market and application of detergent production,which close to international advanced level.However,compared with the developed countries abroad,Chinese synthetic detergent in consumer demand,functional development,high quality product development,enrichment,green concept development,as well as a certain gap.

With the rapid development of detergent industry in the global scope,the demand amount of detergent is also increasing,and its impact on the environment is also increasing.The influence of detergent on the environment mainly includes the following aspects.

2 Problems existing in the development of detergents

2.1 Environmental pollution

In recent years,the trend of green development of chemical industry is more and more urgent as people pay more attention to the environment.As a common daily chemical,detergent provides a clean and healthy living environment for people,but at the same time,the harm it brings to the environment has also attracted increasing attention of people.[8]

2.1.1 Phosphates

In 2017,the National Cleaner Product Quality Supervision and Inspection Center conducted an investigation on the quality of Chinese detergent industry,indicating that in some detergent products,the phosphorus content of phosphorus-free products exceeded the standard,and phosphate is often the culprit causing eutrophication of rivers and lakes.[9]

2.1.2 Heavy metal pollution

The inferior raw materials used by illegal businesses often lead to excessive metal,such as mercury,arsenic and lead in detergents.In the production process,some containers will dissolve lead,arsenic and other harmful substances,resulting in excessive metal.And even some detergents have cancer risk.

2.1.3 Organic pollution

Foam in detergent wastewater is also easy to reduce the water quality,which pose a threat to the survival of aquatic organisms,resulting in the abnormal growth of fish in lakes,rivers and streams.At the same time,because detergent has a certain infiltration ability,the problem of soil pollution of detergent can not be ignored.Some studies show that the surface of the soil around a detergent factory is polluted by total petroleum hydrocarbons,volatile organic compounds,semi-volatile organic compounds and so on.In addition,the natural degradation process will be hindered if the detergent wastewater exceeds a certain content.[10]

2.2 Bacterial drug resistance

The ability of bacteria resist to drugs is called bacterial resistance.It is generally believed that bacterial resistance is mainly divided into two forms,namely,inherent resistance and acquired resistance.[11]At present,the irregular use of antibiotics and disinfectants is considered to be the main factor of bacterial resistance.However,some recent studies have reported that the improper use of fungicides in some household cleaners may also induce bacterial resistance.Triclosan,chemically known as trichlorohydroxy diphenyl ether,is the main bactericidal component of household detergent.Studies have found that bacteria that are resistant to quinolone antibiotics are also resistant to triclosan.[12]This may be because bacteria acquire a resistant factor through mutation which have been exposed to antibiotics for a long time.The resistant factor also develops resistance to trichloride.In addition,the study found that the peroxybacillus and oxidizing bacillus were also resistant to isothiazolinone fungicides commonly used in detergents.

Bacterial resistance is a major challenge facing the world today.It has been recognized worldwide that bacteria develop resistance or cross-resistance to antibiotics,because of the irregular use of antibiotics.[13]However,one of the most commonly overlooked facts is that the fungicides or preservatives added to our commonly used detergents are also likely to induce bacterial resistance when they enter the environment through the sewage system.This reminds us that not only the irregular use of antibiotics may induce bacterial resistance,but also the irregular use of detergents added with chemically synthesized bactericides or preservatives may also induce bacterial resistance.[14]

3 Strategies to solve the current problems of detergents

Based on the above problems,it is urgent to formulate the strategy of safe and standardized use of detergents.

3.1 Strengthen research and development of new safe green non-toxic detergents

As a treasure of Chinese traditional culture,Chinese medicine is a traditional resource-based advantageous industry in China,which plays an important role in the treatment of diseases and the recuperation of sub-health.The water extracts of some traditional Chinese medicines,such as Wubengza,[15-20]camellia seeds,[21-25]saponin[26-28]and wormwood,are rich in plant saponin.These substances have surface activity and can well remove metal ion pollution and dirt on the surface of human skin.These traditional Chinese medicine of saponins have the characteristic of natural,green,low carbon,safe and non-toxic.In addition to the plant rich in saponin of tea seed cake,Gleditsia sinensis,other resources which rich in saponin include Artemisia argyi,turmeric,sisal,dioscorea zingiberensis,liquorice,ginseng,platycodon grandiflorum,etc.These saponins are naturally non-toxic and can be developed into good detergents by biological fermentation and other green technologies.The water extracts of these traditional Chinese medicines contain nutrients such as carbon sources,nitrogen sources,growth factors,inorganic salts and so on,which are the ideal raw materials for microbial fermentation.The development of traditional Chinese medicine extracts rich in saponin based on biological fermentation technology is not only a comprehensive utilization of traditional Chinese medicine resources,but also a green channel for rational development and healthy application of traditional Chinese medicine resources.Using traditional Chinese medicine rich in saponin as raw material,the research and development of detergents through fermentation method can not only effectively utilize the resources of traditional Chinese medicine,but also reduce the environmental pollution caused by over-dependence on chemical industry to a certain extent.

The raw materials in detergents,such as surfactants,auxiliaries,can only be called green detergents in the true sense if they really come from pure nature.As a new detergent with all raw materials from traditional Chinese medicine,it must meet the requirements of the development of green detergent,that is,the selected surfactant is safe and non-toxic,does not contain harmful ingredients,biodegradable and renewable green surfactant.

In addition,the production process of green environmental detergents should be developed according to the principles of energy saving,low pollution and less emission.It is the mission of daily chemical industry to develop and popularize environment-friendly detergent for the benefit of the country and the people.At the same time,the government should vigorously encourage the development of green environmental detergents,from the tax policy and scientific and technological funds to be skewed.In addition,the daily chemical industry should publicize the advantages of green environmental protection detergents through various channels,and actively guide green consumption.

3.2 Formulate the green development policy of detergents and improve the practicability of the policy

With the development of global economy and society,the voice of low-carbon,green,environmental protection and sustainable development is getting louder and louder.Concentrated detergent has the characteristics and advantages of saving resources,reducing energy consumption and reducing carbon emission,which will become the inevitable choice for the sustainable and high-quality development of the washing industry.The central government and the local government should make the safe development strategy of detergents by concentrating,green,functional and safe detergents.In addition,according to Chinese specific national conditions and the development of the washing industry,the central and local governments should update the washing standards in time,absorb foreign advanced standards of the washing industry,formulate more scientific and feasible regulations and standards,and guide the production enterprises to pay attention to product quality and safety in each link from raw materials to production,such as the use of bio-based solvents from renewable raw materials,ethanol and ethyl lactate from food fermentation,more from the renewable raw materials to find non-ionic and cationic surfactants.

The washing industry from all levels,enterprises and scientific research institutions should actively provide the latest development status of the washing industry to the competent departments of the central and local governments at all levels,and put forward corresponding suggestions.They should give the advice in washing industry Fourteen Five Planning and Development at the level of science and technology research projects,research,industry support and so on.Colleges and universities,scientific research institutes,companies and enterprises should speed up technological innovation in the washing industry,and research and develop a batch of longterm,safe and non-toxic new washing products that meet the requirements of the policies and regulations of daily chemical products.

3.3 Popularize the basic knowledge of detergents and increase the publicity of correct use

Through the internet,WeChat,Microblog,other new media forms,such as TV,radio,newspapers and other traditional media forms to increase the public awareness of the use of detergents.To improve the public to the non-standard use,abuse of detergent harm,improve the public awareness of the importance of the correct use of detergent urgency,timely correct the public on the non-standard use of detergent habits.In urban communities and other places regularly carry out publicity activities on the safe use of detergents,carry out popular science education activities on the safe and reasonable use of detergents in universities,primary and secondary schools,strengthen the publicity activities on the appropriate use of detergents in rural grassroots,and improve the villagers’awareness of environmental protection in the proper use of detergents.It can be help consumers learn how to reduce detergent use and how best to dispose of detergent wastewater through education and advocacy programs.Reminding consumers that the best environmentally friendly way to dispose of any detergent wastewater is to use the appropriate amount in strict accordance with washing instructions and that products designed for water should be disposed of through drains.Solid products should be put into garbage cans for sorting and recycling.[29]

3.4 Establish and improve the safety standard system of detergent products

At present,Chinese established detergent standards include GB/T 9985-2000 Hand Washing Tableware Detergent,SN/T 3633-2013 Import and Export Food Detergent Inspection Regulations,T/CCAA 34-2016 Food Safety Management System Detergent and Disinfectant Production Enterprises Requirements,GB14930.1-2015 national standard detergent for food safety,QB/T 1224-2012 liquid detergent for clothing materials.The United States has formulated different standards according to the pollution components of different detergents,while the EU countries mainly refer to the best available technology(BAT)as an important tool for environmental pollution of detergent wastewater.With the development of society,the classification of detergent is becoming more and more detailed.Therefore,for enterprises,it is particularly necessary to establish a standard system of detergent products.

3.5 Improve the monitoring system of detergent wastewater

Most detergents are used with water and go down the drain into the sewage treatment system(municipal sewage treatment plant or septic tank system).In order to ensure the environmental safety of detergents,government management departments,manufacturing enterprises and third-party testing institutions should use scientific principles to evaluate the environmental impact of detergents in wastewater treatment systems on streams,rivers,lakes and estuaries.

Improve government management functions,establish a nationwide network monitoring and management mechanism in the detergent industry,establish a scientific,effective and reasonable detergent safety index system,and provide an authoritative basis for the application and management of detergents.For example,government regulatory agencies can strengthen environmental risk assessment by considering the environmental impact of individual component concentrations.This concentration includes both the exposed concentration and the unaffected concentration.Exposure concentration refers to the degree to which scientists can predict the concentration of ingredients from all sources of detergents at different locations in the environment.No influence concentration refers to the maximum concentration of detergent wastewater that will not cause harm to animals,plants or microorganisms in the environment.Comparing exposed and inactive concentrations allows scientists to determine whether an ingredient is safe for the environment.If the predicted exposure concentration is lower than that harmful to animals,plants,or microorganisms,the planned use of detergent ingredients is acceptable.These two concentrations for assessing environmental risks are applicable to measuring whether the raw materials treated by household septic tank systems and urban sewage treatment plants are harmful to the environment.

Promote enterprises to consciously abide by the subjective consciousness of the detergent industry regulations,train enterprise personnel to recognize the serious and adverse consequences caused by the illegal and excessive addition of fungicides or preservatives,and correctly guide the research and development personnel of detergent enterprises to work awareness of scientific environmental protection.At the same time,establish and improve the marketization of the third party detergent wastewater monitoring management and supervision organization,relying on modern network information technology,the scientific and rational use of detergents shall be monitored,managed and supervised by the third party,overall planning of detergent wastewater third-party monitoring,government management,enterprise consciously safety supervision network management and entity management system.For example,overall planning and monitoring of biosurfactants in the environment,biodegradation of organic components in detergents through the action of microorganisms,such as bacteria,can reduce the content of detergent components discharged into the environment.

4 Outlook

With the rapid development of detergent industry in the global scope,the current human environment is constantly changing,people’s awareness of environmental protection is getting stronger and stronger.At the same time,the continuous introduction of national environmental protection policies,means that the detergent industry will be green,safe,nontoxic,low-carbon and pollution-free direction of transformation and development.