GEMET

Search from vocabulary

Content language

Concept information

product > industrial product > cleansing product > detergent

Preferred term

detergent  

Definition

  • A surface-active agent used for removing dirt and grease from a variety of surfaces and materials. Early detergents contained alkyl sulphonates, which proved resistant to bacterial decomposition, causing foaming in rivers and difficulties in sewage treatment plants. These hard detergents were replaced during the 1960s with soft biodegradable detergents. Apprehension continues to be expressed about the use of phosphates in detergents, helping to promote the process of eutrophication. No satisfactory substitute has yet emerged.

Broader concept

Narrower concepts

Related concepts

Belongs to group

Belongs to array

In other languages

URI

http://www.eionet.europa.eu/gemet/concept/2131

Download this concept:

RDF/XML TURTLE JSON-LD Created 9/8/04, last modified 9/8/04