The field of green chemistry focuses on the design, manufacture and use of chemicals, products and processes to reduce or eliminate adverse effects on human health and ecosystems. Advancements in the field will support businesses and industries, as well as communities, workers and public agencies in their efforts to minimize the use of toxic chemicals in industrial processes and products. Advancements in green chemistry practices can also open new opportunities for green collar jobs, while at the same time ensuring that these new jobs are also safer jobs.
In addition to presenting the findings of our recent report to California EPA, Green Chemistry: Cornerstone to a Sustainable California (http://coeh.berkeley.edu/greenchemistry/briefing), we will address the following topics:
- Long-standing weaknesses in federal policy that have produced a flawed chemicals market in the U.S. and the consequences of these failed policies for the public, workers and the environment
- New European Union policies and efforts that are opening new possibilities for a new approach to chemicals policy in the U.S..
- Implications of green chemistry for occupational and environmental health