From junior high to the General Assembly

Skowronski said she first became aware of the effect phosphates have on bodies of water in sixth grade, when she did a project on red tides. In seventh grade, she took a deeper look into the sources of phosphates and found that detergent was a big part of the problem.

Last March, Skowronski sent her finding to Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston) in hopes that he would sponsor legislation similar to what Maryland had already passed. The limit in Virginia for phosphate levels in dishwashing detergents at that time was 8.7 percent. In comparison, Maryland passed legislation last year to set its limit at 0.5 percent.

Skowronski appeared on Plum's weekly television show last spring to explain how phosphates damage the environment and to provide a side-by-side comparison of glasses cleaned with two different detergents one containing 8.7-percent phosphates and the other one phosphates-free.

You couldn't tell the difference, said her mother, Barbara Skowronski.

Detergents that are low in or completely without phosphates exist already. Barbara Skowronski said her family uses a brand carried by Trader Joe's.

The new law will phase out detergents with more than 0.5 percent phosphates, beginning in 2010.

Plum also enlisted Skowronski's help at last summer's Reston Festival, where she handed out fliers she had created that explained the problem.

She recognizes the importance of an educational program to make people aware, he said.

Plum said he's seen other examples of young people helping to suggest legislation, but Skowronski's has certainly been the most informed effort.

Skowronski spent the recent General Assembly session in Richmond as a Senate page, a program Plum encouraged her to apply for. She spent weekdays in Richmond and came home on weekends.