Nitrogen, phosphorus and ammonia are three of the most hazardous toxic chemicals that are found in cleaning products. Nitrogen is an odorless, inert gas that can be found in products such as floor cleaners and surface cleaners. Phosphorus is a highly reactive chemical element that is found in the vast majority of dishwasher detergents. Ammonia is a colourless gas that is made up of nitrogen and hydrogen. It is considered a multipurpose cleaner and can be found in a wide variety of cleaning products, such as surface cleaners and degreasers.
These chemicals flow to water treatment facilities when we wash them down our sinks and drains. Although most contaminants are removed through wastewater treatment, some chemicals get left behind and produce a build up over time in rivers, streams, lakes and canals. Excessive amounts of these chemicals in water can lead to dense vegetation and eventually, the formation of algae. Algae can be determinantal to wildlife such as fish as it depletes oxygen levels from water, causing them to either die of or leave the area.