Fluorescent whitening agents in the environment.

An assessment of the ecological situation regarding the use of fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) is given. Firstly a survey is made of the existing literature with references to the contributions on the subject in this EQS supplement volume, then the effects of waste water treatment with respect to the elimination of FWAs in the different stages of treatment are discussed. The final load of FWAs in receiving water is estimated. These figures are brought into relation with the actual content of receiving water residues of natural and manmade origins. The significance of the FWA load is discussed. All the arguments lead to the strong suggestion that these residues are finally metabolized by natural systems of elimination, so that no ecological risks exist when FWAs are properly used in the main fields of application, i.e. in the textile, paper and soap and detergent industry.