2. Green Chemistry: Progress and Barriers
-
Sarah A. Green
Abstract
Green chemistry can advance both the health of the environment and the primary objectives of the chemical enterprise: to understand the behavior of chemical substances and to use that knowledge to make useful substances. We expect chemical research and manufacturing to be done in a manner that preserves the health and safety of workers; green chemistry extends that expectation to encompass the health and safety of the planet. While green chemistry may currently be treated as an independent branch of research, it should, like safety, eventually become integral to all chemistry activities. While enormous progress has been made in shifting from “brown” to green chemistry, much more effort is needed to effect a sustainable economy. Implementation of new, greener paradigms in chemistry is slow because of lack of knowledge, ends-justify-the-means thinking, systems inertia, and lack of financial or policy incentives.
Abstract
Green chemistry can advance both the health of the environment and the primary objectives of the chemical enterprise: to understand the behavior of chemical substances and to use that knowledge to make useful substances. We expect chemical research and manufacturing to be done in a manner that preserves the health and safety of workers; green chemistry extends that expectation to encompass the health and safety of the planet. While green chemistry may currently be treated as an independent branch of research, it should, like safety, eventually become integral to all chemistry activities. While enormous progress has been made in shifting from “brown” to green chemistry, much more effort is needed to effect a sustainable economy. Implementation of new, greener paradigms in chemistry is slow because of lack of knowledge, ends-justify-the-means thinking, systems inertia, and lack of financial or policy incentives.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- List of Contributing Authors IX
- Where We Are and Where We Are Going with Green Chemistry 1
- 1. Upon Further Review: A Commodity Chemist on Green Chemistry 7
- 2. Green Chemistry: Progress and Barriers 17
- 3. Switchable Polarity Solvents: Are They Green? 29
- 4. Toward a Greenish Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Ionic Liquids as Solvents for Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing and Other Decontamination Processes for Contaminated Metal Waste 35
- 5. Green Disposal of Waste Bisphenol A 53
- 6. Green Chemistry Pedagogy 67
- 7. How the Principles of Green Chemistry Changed the Way Organic Chemistry Labs Are Taught at the University of Detroit Mercy 95
- 8. Greening the Curriculum: Traditional and Online Offerings for Science and Nonscience Majors 103
- Index 115
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- List of Contributing Authors IX
- Where We Are and Where We Are Going with Green Chemistry 1
- 1. Upon Further Review: A Commodity Chemist on Green Chemistry 7
- 2. Green Chemistry: Progress and Barriers 17
- 3. Switchable Polarity Solvents: Are They Green? 29
- 4. Toward a Greenish Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Ionic Liquids as Solvents for Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing and Other Decontamination Processes for Contaminated Metal Waste 35
- 5. Green Disposal of Waste Bisphenol A 53
- 6. Green Chemistry Pedagogy 67
- 7. How the Principles of Green Chemistry Changed the Way Organic Chemistry Labs Are Taught at the University of Detroit Mercy 95
- 8. Greening the Curriculum: Traditional and Online Offerings for Science and Nonscience Majors 103
- Index 115
