Green Chemistry

Green chemistry is a new scientific field that focuses on the design, manufacture, and use of chemical processes that could prevent pollution and at the same time improve yield efficiency. Its creation dates from 1991, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the Alternative Synthetic Pathways for Pollution Prevention research program under the auspices of the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990. This program marked a radical departure from previous EPA initiatives in emphasizing the prevention of pollution, [Page 211]as opposed to managing it after it is produced. The new research program was expanded shortly thereafter to include the development of greener solvents and safer chemicals, and was finally given the name green chemistry in 1993.

The goal of the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 was ...