Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
Off-line analysis
Passive samplers
Active samplers
Working
atmosphere
Color tubes
Direct reading
instruments
On-line analysis
Figure 23.6
Monitoring devices employed for working atmosphere control.
23.6
The future starts now
The EPA's Green Chemistry Program supports fundamental research in green chemistry in order to provide
to the industry with the chemically viable tools and methods necessary to develop products and processes that
are more environmentally benign than those produced today. In 1992, EPA awarded six grants to fund basic
research projects that consider impacts to human health and the environment in the design of chemical
syntheses. This initial activity was the first of a number of research partnerships that have, to date, awarded
tens of millions of dollars in the form of grants for fundamental research in green chemistry. We think that
analytical chemistry is an important subdiscipline of chemistry in the industrial world that should be also
greened and in this way, it would be important to convince the industry to incorporate green methods through
'Green Analytical Chemistry' grant opportunities and industry/university/government projects.
In addition, official methods of analysis of finished products and industrial effluents should be also greened
by the corresponding authorities. Similar to the replacement of methods that include chlorinated hydrocarbons,
official methods of analysis should be revisited taking into consideration analytical parameters such as accuracy,
precision and detection limits but also green parameters such as volume and toxicity of reagents and generated
waste and energy consumption. On the other hand, the correct evaluation of cost of analysis could be of great
importance in demonstrating the economical opportunities offered by greening industrial laboratories.
References
[1] Anastas, P.T. and Warner, J.C. (1995)
Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice
. Oxford University Press, New York.
[2] US Environmental Protection Agency (n.d.)
Green Chemistry Home
. Available at http://www.epa.gov/
greenchemistry/index.html (accessed November 4, 2011).
[3]
European Environment Agency (n.d.) homepage. Available at http://www.eea.europa.eu/ (accessed November 4, 2011).
[4]
Environment Directorate General, European Commission (2007)
REACH in brief
. Available at http://ec.europa.eu/
environment/chemicals/reach/pdf/2007_02_reach_in_brief.pdf (accessed November 4, 2011).
