Abstract

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF GREEN CHEMISTRY-A REVIEW

Asnake Gudisa Ede*

Abstract

In some industrial chemical processes, not only waste products but also the reagents used for the production may cause a threat to the environment, society and economy. Substances and the form of a substance used in a chemical process should be chosen to minimize the potential for chemical accidents, including releases, explosions and fires. Green chemistry aims at designing of products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. It targets pollution at the design stage, before it even begins. The Principles of Green Chemistry can be viewed as imperatives or directives that address alternative starting and target materials, alternative reagents and solvents, catalysts, and improved processes and process control. The present review describes environmental and socioeconomic impacts of twelve principles of green chemistry with detail illustrations taking different case studies including US Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards for each guideline. In addition, it summarizes barriers to implementation of the twelve principles of green chemistry and how to overcome the barriers.

Keywords: Green Chemistry Principles, hazardous substances, environmental and socioeconomic impacts, US Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards, case studies, barriers.