Interesting, slightly troubling report about the tension between environmental responsibility and good home technology.

Explains what drives change in a common product and the impact of the changes on the environment and everyday users. A good amount of depth on something I'd only seen small articles about in other places.

Yes. Focuses on a topic that hasn't been written about much, engagingly personalizes it, thoroughly researches it, and effectively nationalizes it. If you've been wondering why your wine glasses now come out of the dishwasher with spots, here's the best explanation you'll find. Is this piece wrong on any counts? If so, let's hear from the other side -- with solid evidence. This piece strikes me as yet another example of the unintended consequences of zealous environmentalism.

This news analysis is excellent journalism. The author has done extensive research into the topic interviewing numerous people and quoting others with relevant already published comments. The piece provides the context for the situation, although there should have been more information provided from the detergent industry about how they are working to cope with the situation. Chemical & Engineering News has a lengthy article on this aspect in its current issue (which the author of this piece could not have seen as it came out after his piece was published). Well written.