The Rise of Green Chemistry
Chemistry has traditionally been a science that necessitates working with toxic chemicals and pollution-intensive materials. Recently, a new field of chemistry called “Green Chemistry” has begun to be taught in universities. The use of toxic chemicals and harmful pollutants has been stripped out of the scientific process.
The EPA’s mission statement on Green Chemistry aims “to promote innovative chemical technologies that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances in the design, manufacture, and use of chemical products.”
A green chemistry curriculum is beginning to appear in major universities all over America. Recently, one of the finest academies for science, Carnegie Mellon University, opened up a concentrated set of courses that are designed to teach chemistry with a green philosophy as the backbone. It is great to see that there is a growing concern over living in a world that is dominated by artificial chemical creations. With toxins so prevalent in our lives and cancers and other diseases a continuing concern, then one has to wonder if there might be a correlation between toxicity levels in the air, earth and water and the health of our bodies.
If anyone reading this has had bad experiences with certain chemicals, then please make a map marker that documents your experiences so the next person who encounters a similar situation has a chance of avoiding the dangers.
