Green Chemistry

Green chemistry presents an attractive alternative to traditional industrial and manufacturing practices because of traditional methods’ far-reaching effects on the environment and on human health. Industry's use of chemistry in manufacturing creates hazardous by-products as a result of the production process as well as products that, after use, may also be harmful. Because of industry's mass production, the hazardous results created in common industrial processes have attracted the attention of concerned individuals and groups calling for a rethinking of the chemistry involved in such production.

Green chemistry seeks to reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals in the production, use, and disposal of goods with the goal of minimizing, or at least reducing, negative environmental and human impact. Green chemistry advocates go about achieving these ends [Page 186]through ...