What is green Chemistry?

In 1991 green chemistry became a formal focus of the EPA. Green Chemistry or environmentally benign chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce of eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. Thus instead of limiting risk by controlling our exposure to hazardous chemicals, green chemistry attempts to reduce and preferentially eliminate the hazard thus negating the necessity to control exposure.

Definition

Green chemistry, also known as sustainable chemistry, is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. Green chemistry applies across the life cycle of a chemical product, including its design, manufacture, and use.

Green Chemistry

• Reduced waste

• Eliminating costly end-of-the-pipe treatments

• Yields safer products

• Reduced use of energy and resources

• Improved competitiveness of chemical manufacturers and their customers

Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry

• Pollution Prevention

• Atom Economy

• Less Hazardous Chemical Synthesis

• Designing Safer Chemicals

• Safer Solvents and Auxiliaries

• Design for Energy Efficiency

• Use of Renewable Feedstocks

• Reduce Derivatives

• Use of Catalysis

• Design for Degradation

• Real-time analysis for Pollution Prevention

• Inherently Safer Chemistry for Accident Prevention