A review of the behaviour and utilization of polycarboxylic acids as detergent builders

Abstract The formulation or polycarboxylic acids (PCAs) into detergents as phosphate replacements or co‐builders has been reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed on builder efficiency, potential wastewater treatment and environmental removal mechanisms, and the resulting implications for public health. The majority of PCAs with significant builder potential tend to rely on a carbon backbone molecular structure and these are found to be poorly biodegradable under standard conditions. High sludge adsorption capacities for PCA are thought to be implicated as removal mechanisms.