How does laundry detergent affect the environment?

Question

Doing a research project about it. Provide sources and websites if you have any.

Answer 1

It drains and leaks into rivers, it's like an invisible oil spill

Answer 2

Well I just saw some ducks down at the river doing their laundry

Answer 3

Its not laundry detergent per se, its phosphorus contained w/in detergent that leads to problems for water quality. Basically, excess P loading allows exponential increases in algal growth. When they die, bacteria break them down, leading to a high bacterial oxygen demand. Hypoxia/anoxia of waterways ensues, resulting in fish kills and the like.