Main problem that appears in the use of detergents is that if their hydrocarbon chain is highly branched, then bacteria cannot degrade this easily. Slow degradation of detergents leads to their accumulation.

These days the branching of the hydrocarbon chain is controlled and kept to the minimum. Unbranched chains, i.e., $\mathrm{n}-$alkyl chains can be biodegraded more easily and hence pollution is prevented.