PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY& GOAL AND METHODS OF GREEN CHEMISTRY

PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

1. Inside the plant:- Exposure of employees to carcinogenic fumes and toxics

2. Pollution exiting the plant:

- Air emissions Fugitive emissions from storage tanks

Evaporating solvents

Accidental releases

(Bhopal, India in 1984)

- Water pollution Wastewater incompletely treated

Groundwater contamination

- Solid waste Sludge from wastewater treatment

3. Impacts of using the chemical product:

- Fertilizers Eutrophication, soil erosion

- Herbicides & Pesticides Residues in foodGroundwater contamination

- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Ozone holes (skin cancer)

- Gazoline Urban pollution

- MTBE fuel additive

Underground water pollution

4. Impacts after use:

- Flame

-retardant materials

Landfill hazard

- Paint pigments

Heavy metals in soils

Where public is begging for greatest improvement: Level 3

Where chemical industry is making the greatest effort: Level 2

Quite a mismatch... 

GOAL AND METHODS OF GREEN CHEMISTRY

(From Paul L. Bishop, 2000, p. 357)

Green chemistry, also called benign chemistry or clean chemistry, refers to the field of chemistry dealing with:-

 Synthesis,

- processing, and

- use

of chemicals that reduce risks to humans and impact on the environment.

-----

The ultimate goal is to develop and institute alternative syntheses for important industrial chemicals in order to prevent environmental pollution.

-----

The methods are:

- Avoid toxics

- Use benign feedstocks only

- Reduce use of endangered resources

- Produce only safe chemicals (find substitutes to harmful chemicals)

- Find alternate processes to avoid harmful by-products

- Reduce generation of non marketable by-products

- Improve operational practices.