Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
NEMI
pictogram
PBT
Hazardous
A chemical used in the method is
listed as persistent,
bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT),
as defined by the EPA's Toxic
Release Inventory (TRI)
A chemical used in the methodis
listed on the TRI or on one of
the RCRA's D, F, P or U
hazardous waste lists
Corrosive
Waste
Waste amount generated
is greater than 50 g
pH during the analysis is less
than 2 or greater than 12
de la Guardia & Armenta
pictogram proposal
Operator
risk
Energy
consumption
Reagent
consume
Waste
volume
High
Medium
Low
(red)
(orange)
(green)
Figure 4.6
Green pictograms proposed in the literature.
and miniaturized ones, just from the identification of their cost in terms of time and money of our practices.
However, another important aspect to be considered is the need to think about the methods after data
acquisition and thus, to incorporate inside the protocol the system for on-line treatment of waste including
recovery or decontamination steps when they could be possible, or at least, passivation methodologies. These
treatments could reduce the cost of analysis and limit the risk of residue accumulation whilst providing a
good feeling for the method's users and improving their environmental conscience. So, such a method which
incorporates additional detoxification steps or no use of reagents or the generation of waste could be identified
as a totally green one.
In short, we are convinced that green terms must be reflected as keywords in method development and
method application and green parameters must be evaluated in the body of the text as a part of the results and
discussion section. Really, the idea is not to replace the typical figures of merit of the analytical methods but
to add new aspects such as, potential toxicity or risks of reagents employed, amounts of solvents required,
reagents and energy necessaries for sample analysis, and volume of wastes generated. On the other hand, the
use of green pictograms as proposed by the NEMI [13] and by us [14] could provide a fast and adequate
environmental evaluation of the method, suitable for incorporation in the figures of the paper as a
complementary and easy-to-understand information. In this sense, Figure 4.6 provides a description of the
meaning of the green pictograms.
The NEMI proposal includes the consideration of green or not green character of a method based on four
parameters: Persistent/Bioaccumulative/Toxic (PBT), Hazardous, Corrosive and Waste aspects which must
