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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The amount of phosphorus in dishwasher soap for residential use would be limited under a proposal set to pass in the state Assembly.
No more than 0.5 percent phosphorus could be in dishwasher soap by July 2010 under the bill that won preliminary approval Tuesday. Twelve other states have similar restrictions.
Environmental groups support the restrictions because phosphorus runoff can increase weed and algae growth in lakes and rivers. The bill also won support from soap maker Procter and Gamble.
Assembly Republicans questioned the need for the new requirement and whether soap with the lower phosphorus content would be available by the time the restrictions take effect.
A final Assembly vote could come this week. The Senate hasn’t taken up the bill.
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