Definition of green chemistry remains elusive

摘要

Green chemistry and its close relative sustainable chemistry are concepts and practices that would seem to have no detractors, not within industry, not among environmental and public health groups, and not throughout the federal and state governments. And yet, while no one appears to publicly oppose these types of chemistry, their integration into the manufacturing and chemical production sectors is occurring slowly. The reasons are varied and begin with the lack of definitions of the two phrases that stakeholders can agree on. Other obstacles are economic-it costs money to change ingredients and processes to enable a switch from conventional chemistry to green and sustainable chemistries; acceptance-by the public and other purchasers of chemicals and products who are skeptical as to whether they are getting the performance they require; and governmental-an apparent reluctance on the part of the federal government to assist in coordinating and funding innovation and setting standards that would give green and sustainable chemistry a solid foundation on which to grow.