In this wonderful country called Australia, we still have one of the most beautiful and unspoiled places on this planet.  

Today however some parts are beginning to show signs of neglect and over use.  However, it is still possible to find a safe, clean, quiet spot to enjoy ourselves when we travel.

To maintain this, we all need to understand our responsibility towards our environment, which is very dependent on the way we use it and the way we look after it by being thoughtful with the disposal of our rubbish and waste material. As caravanners, most of us try to do the right thing and with the little extra information provided here, it can make it easier and more effective.

It is getting harder to find the correct information about the products we buy and use. One of the things that are making it difficult is the mis-use of certain key words in advertising.

For example the word: BIODEGRADABLE it's not all it is cracked up to-be!

The dictionary meaning is:

"Biodegradable: Capable of being decomposed by the action of biological agents, especially bacteria", or "Capable of being broken down especially into innocuous products by the action of living things (such as micro- organisms"

So the question is "How can any product which contains a biocide (a product which poisons/kills bacteria) be labelled "BIODEGRADABLE?"

When we buy a product we usually take for granted the words on the label are true and correct so if it says it is "BIODEGRADABLE" we tend to accept that this means safe for the environment and us. The problem is there is no law governing this and someone could hand you a stick of Uranium and say it is biodegradable and that is true, but it would take centuries to break down and certainly would not leave safe products until many centuries down the track.  In the meantime, it kills anything that comes in contact with it. We all need to be aware of the safe products   and there are many, but also note the ones that are poisons or detrimental to the environment and us. There is a lot of information available but perhaps the manufacturers are hoping we will not bother checking.

Reference List of some dangerous products available for toilet treatment in Australia.

(Chemical names are used to avoid conflict with brand names.)

FORMELDEHYDE

This widely used chemical is usually mixed with methyl alcohol and marketed as a blue perfumed liquid. The EPA states, "It kills and retards all bacterial growth and is recognised as a probable cancer causing agent and is very toxic to people." (There have been instances where the indiscriminate dumping of this product has closed an entire small town's sewerage system) These products by law carry a label which says "Danger Poison" and yet some people think nothing at having it their vehicle where they live and sleep. 

BENZALDEHYDE

This product does not contain "formaldehyde but it is the same chemical family and has the same properties and acts the same way.

PARAFORMALDEHYDE

This is a variation of formaldehyde and when heated it releases formaldehyde.  It is very toxic to people.  This product usually comes packaged in dry powder sachets.

BRONOPOL

This product is a bacterial pesticide (kills bacteria) and when added to sewerage releases formaldehyde.  This is one of the newest products to be included in toilet chemicals as "formaldehyde free" but this is only true until you add it to the toilet contents.  

ETHANEDIOL

A sweet but poisonous syrupy liquid used as antifreeze and solvent. (Found In most green, and light-blue products)

DOWICIL

This is a bacterial pesticide and is highly damaging to all waste systems. 

SODIUM PERBORATE

This product, when added to water releases the powerful oxidizing agent hydrogen peroxide, which kills bacteria on contact so it will harm a natural waste system. It also contains Boron which can be extreme toxic to humans in relevantly small doses.  It is commonly present in disc form or as a nappy sterilizer or bleach. 

AMMONIA COMPOUNDS

These are also bacterial pesticides and are often found in surface sprays.

AMMONIA

A cleaning product, which is a powerful oxidant, is used in bleaches and disinfectants and is a biocide. 

CHLORINE

A cleaning product that is a powerful oxidant, is used in bleaches and disinfectants and is a biocide.

BORAX

Used in cleaners and as an insecticide.

Submitted in the interests of making our country cleaner, and helping to protect our environment.  The message here is  "Think before you buy and use only really "safe" products in your toilet waste disposal system".

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