Rebuilding the Foundation to Advance New Science, Green Chemistry, and Environmental Health
Imagine a world where the very products that make our lives more comfortable—non-stick pans, stain-resistant furniture, and even the pesticides that protect our food—might be slowly harming us. This isn't a scene from a dystopian novel but a real-world concern driving one of the most significant transformations in how the United States approaches chemical safety. We stand at a pivotal moment where decisions made today about chemical regulation will resonate for generations, determining the health of our children, our environment, and our economy.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently proposing substantial changes to how toxic chemicals are regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), with the agency claiming these revisions will "increase efficiency" and "better protect health and the environment"9 . Yet public health advocates and EPA employees warn these changes could dramatically weaken safety reviews for some of the nation's most dangerous chemicals, including PFAS ("forever chemicals"), formaldehyde, and asbestos1 .
This article explores how rebuilding America's chemical policy foundation could instead embrace green chemistry innovations that protect both human health and the environment while fostering sustainable industrial progress.
The current administration is proposing several key changes to the implementation of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which serves as the country's primary chemical safety law.
The EPA states these changes would "streamline and speed up the process" of chemical reviews while providing "certainty for the regulated community"9 . However, critics argue that the "Gold Standard" includes requirements that are effectively impossible to meet.
| Evaluation Aspect | Current Approach | Proposed Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of Assessment | Whole chemical evaluation | Use-by-use evaluation |
| Worker Protection | Doesn't assume PPE use | Assumes proper PPE use |
| Scientific Evidence | Flexible standards | "Gold Standard" framework |
| State Authority | Allows stricter state rules | Prohibits state bans |
Estimated increase in review speed
Reduction in comprehensive assessments
State-level protections potentially invalidated1
Annual industry compliance savings estimate
Green chemistry—a transformative approach that combines chemistry with environmental sustainability—focuses on designing chemical processes and products that reduce or eliminate the use and creation of hazardous substances2 . Developed in the 1990s by Paul Anastas and John Warner, green chemistry is guided by twelve fundamental principles that represent a comprehensive framework for sustainable chemical design3 .
Unlike traditional approaches that address pollution after it's created, green chemistry seeks to prevent hazard and waste from the outset.
The global green chemicals market is projected to grow from $108.53 billion in 2023 to $179.96 billion by 2028.
Principles of Green Chemistry
It is better to prevent waste than to treat or clean up waste after it is formed.
Synthetic methods should maximize incorporation of all materials used in the process into the final product.
Wherever practicable, synthetic methodologies should be designed to use and generate substances with little or no toxicity.
The use of auxiliary substances should be made unnecessary wherever possible and innocuous when used.
A raw material or feedstock should be renewable rather than depleting whenever technically and economically practicable.
Chemical products should be designed so that at the end of their function they break down into innocuous degradation products.
Shifting from finite petroleum resources to plant biomass, algae, and agricultural byproducts. For example, bioplastics derived from polylactic acid (PLA) obtained from corn starch or sugarcane serve as biodegradable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics2 .
Developing more selective, reusable, and energy-efficient catalysts. In the pharmaceutical industry, enzymatic catalysis has revolutionized drug synthesis, allowing for highly selective reactions with fewer byproducts and less waste2 .
Replacing volatile organic compounds with greener alternatives like supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂), which is non-toxic, non-flammable, and reusable2 .
To understand how green chemistry works in practice, let's examine a specific example from pharmaceutical manufacturing. Traditional drug synthesis often involves multiple steps, hazardous reagents, and significant waste generation. A green chemistry approach to producing sitagliptin, a diabetes medication, demonstrates a more sustainable alternative.
Researchers screened and identified an enzyme that could perform the key chemical transformation with higher specificity and under milder conditions than the traditional metal catalyst.
Using modern biotechnology tools, scientists engineered the enzyme for enhanced stability, functionality, and efficiency in the reaction conditions2 .
The team designed a reaction system that allowed the enzyme to work effectively, optimizing parameters like temperature, pH, and concentration.
The enzymatic transformation was carried out at room temperature in aqueous solution, eliminating the need for energy-intensive heating and hazardous organic solvents2 .
The specificised enzyme produced a cleaner reaction, simplifying the purification process and reducing waste.
The green chemistry approach yielded impressive results compared to the traditional synthesis method. Not only did it eliminate the need for metal catalysts, but it also improved yield and safety. This example illustrates several green chemistry principles in action, including designing safer syntheses, using catalysts instead of stoichiometric reagents, and real-time analysis for pollution prevention.
| Parameter | Traditional Synthesis | Green Synthesis | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steps | 10 steps | 2 steps | 80% reduction |
| Yield | Baseline | 44% increase | Significant efficiency gain |
| Solvent Use | High (organic solvents) | Reduced (aqueous where possible) | Fewer hazardous materials |
| Catalyst | Metal-based | Enzyme-based | Biodegradable, safer catalyst |
Merck & Co. demonstrated green chemistry principles by reducing their drug synthesis steps from 10 to 2, achieving a 44% increase in yield. Between 2004 and 2013, the U.S. drug industry decreased its chemical use by nearly half, primarily by using fewer organic solvents and selecting less hazardous reagents.
Green chemistry relies on specialized reagents that enable more sustainable chemical transformations. These substances facilitate reactions while minimizing environmental impact and potential harm to human health.
Green Advantage: Highly selective, work at room temperature, biodegradable2
Green Advantage: Non-toxic, non-flammable, easily removed, reusable2
Green Advantage: Can be designed for biodegradability, recyclable2
Green Advantage: Sustainable, reduce fossil fuel dependence2
Green Advantage: Useful for acid-sensitive compounds, more specific than alternatives7
These tools represent just a sample of the growing arsenal available to chemists committed to sustainable design. The strategic selection of reagents is crucial for implementing green chemistry principles, particularly those related to safer solvents, accident prevention, and energy efficiency.
As the United States reevaluates its chemical policy, several key strategies could help align regulatory approaches with the principles of green chemistry and environmental health:
Rather than focusing primarily on exposure limits, regulations could incentivize the design of inherently safer chemicals that follow green chemistry principles.
Increased investment in green chemistry innovation could accelerate the development of sustainable alternatives to hazardous chemicals currently in use.
Tax benefits, preferred procurement policies, and recognition programs could encourage industry adoption of green chemistry technologies.
Integrating green chemistry into university curricula and professional development programs would prepare the next generation of chemists to design safer materials.
Evaluating chemicals from raw material extraction through end-of-life disposal ensures comprehensive sustainability assessment.
The current debate over U.S. chemicals policy represents more than just technical regulatory adjustments—it reflects a fundamental choice between different visions of our chemical future. Will we continue with approaches that require extensive risk management for potentially hazardous substances, or will we embrace a preventive strategy that designs chemicals and processes to be inherently safer?
The promise of green chemistry offers a path forward that doesn't force us to choose between economic growth and environmental health. As we rebuild the foundation of our chemical policy, we have an opportunity to create a system that rewards innovation, protects vulnerable populations, and embraces the transformative potential of chemistry to solve rather than create environmental challenges.
The decisions made today will shape the chemical landscape for decades to come. By aligning regulatory structures with the principles of green chemistry, we can build a future where economic progress and environmental health advance together, creating safer materials, cleaner technologies, and a more sustainable relationship between human industry and the natural world.