Re: GREEN CHEMISTRY...from Labsafety Listserv
Is Chemistry still considered to be a
science?
Now that the periodic table is mostly complete and the
properties and synthesis of elements and compounds
are well known, should we still consider chemistry to be
a science? If so, should we allow students to set up
chemical experiments with controls to find out what
happens in unknown situations?
Colleagues,
Have you
thought about practicing Green Chemistry?
When I was in
organic chemistry back in the early 60's we used
benzene to synthesize the
aromatics. More often I was in the
hallway gasping for breath
because I could not tolerate the
odors. I am sure you have similar
stories to recant.
Claude
Claudia Toback
Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2001 12:50:15 -0700
From: "Nolan, Gary" <gary.nolan@ORST.EDU>
Subject: Re: _Substitute Chemicals
While I am of the opinion
that chemistry labs should not shrink from
teaching safe handling of
hazardous materials I also strongly believe that
labs can be designed
with an eye to innocuous end or by products.
Inculcating good hazardous
material handling in not inconsistent with a
desire to produce benign
final materials. Most strong mineral acids for
instance require careful
handling but are easily neutralized to salts that
can go down the drain.
There's a nascent movement towards what is called "green chemistry".
The
University of Oregon has converted two terms of sophomore/junior
organic to
this approach. Its not simply feel good or risk avoidance
chemistry. There
are good sound economic reasons to view wastes as lost
resources and
minimize their generation beyond the costs of compliance
and disposition.
Gary Nolan
Oregon State University
Chemistry
Herb Gottlieb from New York City
(Where
it's nice to live but I wouldn't
want to be a tourist
here)
herbgottlieb@juno.com