Uses and Environmental Pollution of Biocides - Pesticides: Evaluation of Environmental Pollution - page 21

1.4.4 Green Chemistry and Green Pesticides
The closing decades of the last century have witnessed the emergence of green chemistry,
thanks to the new conceptualized ideas of a number of renowned chemists. New prin-
ciples in chemistry have emerged, including atom economy, solventless reaction, biocata-
lysts, design for degradation, and many others. They highlight the sprouting concept of
chemistry that amalgamated the basic essence of chemistry with sound environmental
and safety codes.
The term Green Chemistry as adopted by the International Union of Pure and Applied
Chemistry (IUPAC) is defined as “The invention, design and application of chemical prod-
ucts and processes to reduce or to eliminate the use and generation of hazardous sub-
stances.” Green chemistry is also defined as “Discovery and application of new chemistry/
technology leading to prevention/reduction of environmental, health and safety impacts
at source.”
With the trend of green chemistry starting to prevail, a number of novel molecules have
been developed and used in pest control. Green pesticides are still in infancy but rigorous
efforts are being exerted in a number of international laboratories to develop new chemical
species exhibiting the paradigm of green chemistry.
In the highly interrelated, interdependent world of modern technology and trade, the
challenge of protecting crops and livestock from insects, diseases, weeds, and other pests
without hazards to humans, animals, or the environment requires the combined and sus-
tained efforts of scientists, technicians, and administrators; producers, processors, and
distributors; industry and government; and nations working together to establish and
administer sound, acceptable standards of food safety and environment quality (FAO
1985).
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