10 Questions
What is the main reason for the poor public image of chemicals and the chemical industry?
Misconceptions, media scares, and the traditional chemical industry's hazardous and polluting nature until the 1980s.
What are some examples of major chemical accidents that have contributed to the negative image of the chemical industry?
The Bhopal catastrophe in 1984 and the Exxon Valdez grounding in 1989.
What is the problem of resource management in the chemical industry?
The industry has drawn heavily on resources, leading to escalating costs of petrochemicals and increasing energy and raw material demands.
What is the definition of sustainable development?
A sustainable society is one that meets the needs of the current generation without sacrificing the ability to meet the needs of future generations.
What is the role of green chemistry in achieving sustainable development?
Green chemistry is one of the approaches used to achieve sustainable development.
What are some operational tools used in green chemistry, industrial ecology, and green engineering?
Examples include catalysis and life-cycle assessment.
What is the main goal of the strategic goal of sustainable development?
To meet the needs of the current generation without sacrificing the ability to meet the needs of future generations.
What are the consequences of the traditional chemical industry's hazardous and polluting nature?
Stoichiometric amounts of waste, causing pollution of air and water.
What is driving the change in the chemical industry towards sustainability?
The escalating costs of petrochemicals and the increasing energy and raw material demands in Asia's emerging markets.
What is the relationship between green chemistry and sustainability?
Green chemistry is a key component of sustainable development, as it aims to reduce the environmental impact of chemical processes.
Study Notes
Green Chemistry and Sustainable Development
- Green chemistry is a step towards sustainability, aiming to design chemical products and processes that minimize hazardous substances.
- The concept of green chemistry emerged in the 1990s in the US and Europe, and has since been adopted by the chemical industry.
- The 12 principles of green chemistry, formulated by Anastas and Warner, focus on preventing waste, designing atom-efficient synthetic methods, and minimizing energy requirements.
Drivers of Green Chemistry
- Three forces drive the green chemistry initiative: government legislation, societal pressure, and economic benefits.
- The EU Directive on the registration, evaluation, and assessment of chemicals (REACH) is a significant legislative driver.
- Societal pressure favors industrial green chemistry initiatives, leading to safer and eco-friendly products and processes.
- Economic benefits of green chemistry include decreased capital investment and operating costs.
Quantifying Environmental Impact
- Green chemistry and "green manufacture" are perceived as positive, but it is challenging to compare and judge the environmental impact of different processes.
- The chemical industry has a poor public image due to its historical hazardous and polluting practices.
- Notable chemical accidents, such as the Bhopal catastrophe and the Exxon Valdez grounding, have reinforced this image.
- The industry is shifting towards sustainability and resource management, driven by escalating costs of petrochemicals and energy demands.
Sustainability and Sustainable Development
- Sustainability refers to meeting the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations.
- Sustainable development is a strategic goal that can be achieved through various approaches, including green chemistry, industrial ecology, and green engineering.
- Green chemistry offers an alternative to traditional environmental protection, focusing on preventing hazards rather than treating and solving exposure problems.
Learn about the concept of green chemistry, its history, and its role in achieving sustainability. Discover how it impacts the chemical industry and the design of chemical products and processes.
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