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Fluorescent Whitening Agents

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Detergents

Part of the book series: Anthropogenic Compounds ((HEC3,volume 3 / 3F))

Summary

Fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) are used in laundry detergents to make the fabrics whiter and colors bright to compensate the yellowish shade of washed fabrics. The amount in washing powders is about 0.15% on dry weight basis, of which 20–95% binds to the fabrics. FWAs are readily eliminated from household effluents in sewage treatment plants due to strong adsorption on activated sludge. They are only sporadically detected in natural water systems. The concentrations found are well below the concentrations toxic to aquatic organisms. Uptake in fish and plants is low and reversible. Photodegradation occurs and biodegradation is possible but only in activated sludge after an adaptation period.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemiewinkel, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 20242, 1000 HE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    J. B. Kramer

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  1. J. B. Kramer
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N. T. de Oude

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© 1992 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Kramer, J.B. (1992). Fluorescent Whitening Agents. In: de Oude, N.T. (eds) Detergents. Anthropogenic Compounds, vol 3 / 3F. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-47108-0_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-47108-0_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-14983-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-47108-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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