Clean Production and Toxics

Clean chemicals from the beginning

co-authored by Lin Kaatz Chary, Great Lakes Green Chemistry Network

Earlier this spring the Canadian government deemed Bisphenol A, an ingredient in the plastic of hard polycarbonate bottles, a toxic substance and banned its use in baby bottles. This comes shortly after major retailers stopped stocking bottles containing the ingredient. Studies have shown Bisphenol A to have reproductive and developmental effects, even at low doses.

Environment Canada is also poised to label almost a dozen more chemicals toxic, making it easier to regulate their use. These chemicals are found in items from chewing gum to fuels, to cosmetics.

In the wake of these announcements, where would we be if companies had put effort into designing clean chemicals from the start?

Green chemistry is redefining the philosophy and practice of chemical design. Great Lakes United has been working with the Great Lakes Green Chemistry Network (GLGCN) to facilitate conference calls and opportunities to connect with some of the leading researchers in the field.

In the first seminar, Dr. Michael Wilson of the University of California at Berkeley discussed the need for chemicals policy to incorporate green chemistry principles and set the stage for research into safer chemicals in California where the chemical sector is an important driver for the state’s economy.

Dr. Wilson explained that existing federal chemicals policy does little to ensure information for businesses, consumers and the public about the safety of chemicals we encounter. This leads to preventable occupational exposures to chemical hazards. Moreover, these policy shortfalls inhibit research and innovation for sustainable products and processes. Wilson’s policy recommendations can be found at www.glgc.org in a report entitled, “Green Chemistry: Cornerstone to a Sustainable California.”

In the second phone seminar, Dr. Philip Jessop, Canada Research Chair in Green Chemistry at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, discussed the momentum in academia to pursue green chemistry research once the curricula and tools are in place. He pointed out that some major barriers still exist, include funding, direct connections with interested industries, and acceptance within the larger community of academic chemists. Dr. Jessop presented the example of how his own work into switchable solvents, which are essentially non-toxic and waste-minimizing, and surfactants has successfully incorporated the principles of green chemistry.

Dr. Julie Haack also presented to this seminar, discussing how her team at the University of Oregon in Eugene has created teaching modules for schools, levels K-12, through their Greener Education Materials (GEMS) for Chemists project. Dr. Haack has also created a national network to link green chemistry experts, practitioners, and educators across the nation. Using a community-based approach, this collaboration has created nineteen green chemistry educational modules to date.

In the third seminar, Dr. Jim Hutchinson of the University of Oregon at Eugene spoke on the opportunity to apply green chemistry and engineering principles to the new frontier of nanotechnology. Looking at possible problems during the design of nanomaterials is an opportunity to design away from hazardous properties, eliminate toxics, and reduce waste. In many ways “greener nanoscience” exemplifies the future in design and innovation where proactive problem solving can lead to more efficient performing products.

In the latest seminar, James Clark, one of the founders of the Green Chemistry Network at York University (U.K.) and the Green Chemistry Centre for Excellence there, discussed how the network was created and how it works with industry to build capacity for green chemistry applications. Upcoming seminars will look at how green chemistry is being used by industries in the Great Lakes region, and how to expand the Green Chemistry Network.

To learn more about the Great Lakes Green Chemistry Network join our listserv and telephone seminars. Contact Rachel Heckl at rheckl@glu.org, or visit the Great Lakes Green Chemistry Network .

© 2008 Great Lakes News.