The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) appreciates Matt Fuchs and TIME Magazine for tackling the important topic of dishwasher pods and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in their recent article, “What Happens to the Plastic in Dishwasher Pods?”
We especially commend the article for highlighting a crucial point: detergent-grade PVA does not form microplastics, a misconception we are dedicated to clarifying. The article also notes the safety of these products, highlighting their approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Safer Choice program certifying safer products, and EWG’s Verified program. As quoted in the article, Dr. Lauren Duffy, an environmental toxicologist and senior scientist at the EWG, stated, “We’re confident we’ve evaluated detergent-grade PVA in a responsible way.”
However, we believe there are opportunities to further clarify and correct some inaccuracies to ensure readers have the most complete and scientifically accurate picture.
While the article references research by Rolsky and Kelkar, it’s vital for consumers to know that their 2021 paper, which has been widely criticized as pseudo-science, has faced significant scientific scrutiny. An independent expert panel organized by SciPinion explicitly rejected the paper’s conclusions due to “significant scientific flaws” and a lack of experimental data, deeming it insufficient for informing real-world PVA degradation.
Furthermore, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also published a detailed rejection of claims made in a petition citing this work, reaffirming the safety and biodegradability of PVA used in Safer Choice-certified products.
Here’s what the science consistently shows:
- Safety First: Dishwasher pods are safe when used as directed. There is no evidence that detergent-grade PVA accumulates in the human body, including extensive review studies of available science as recently as summer 2025.
- True Biodegradability: Detergent-grade PVA is designed to fully dissolve in water and readily biodegrade in wastewater treatment plants and natural environments, breaking down into harmless components like CO2 and water. Claims that it turns into “something we cannot define” are inaccurate; its degradation pathways are indeed very well understood.
- Effective Wastewater Treatment: U.S. wastewater treatment plants are highly effective at biodegrading PVA, as confirmed by extensive studies, including those following OECD test methods.
The American Cleaning Institute is committed to providing science-based information to ensure consumer safety and environmental protection. We encourage everyone to rely on robust, peer-reviewed science and expert consensus when evaluating product safety and environmental impact.
Learn more about the science of PVA: https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/pva
ACI’s Debunking Myths about PVA: https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/debunking-myths-about-pva-and-detergent-pods
The American Cleaning Institute® (ACI – www.cleaninginstitute.org) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry® and represents the $60 billion U.S. cleaning product supply chain. ACI members include the manufacturers and formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and chemical distributors. ACI serves the growth and innovation of the U.S. cleaning products industry by advancing the health and quality of life of people and protecting our planet. ACI achieves this through a continuous commitment to sound science and being a credible voice for the cleaning products industry.