ECO-FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGY GREEN CHEMISTRY : A PRESENT DAY NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

ECO-FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGY GREEN CHEMISTRY : A PRESENT DAY NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Abstract

In the developing countries, it is necessary to keep an eye on the safety of environment as well as the human health while making the developmental activities. The concept of Green Chemistry is the key for the balanced development for the world where one can live without fear of environmental pollution and health hazards. The article has described the value and progressively increasing popularity of Green Chemistry world over.

INTRODUCTION

Indiscriminate use of chemicals in everyday life has threatened the bioworld by presenting a deteriorating image of chemicals causing serious health and environmental hazards. Apart from the pharmaceutical usage, the synthetic chemicals have been accommodated in the life of human in such a way that it seems rather impossible to get aside from them. However, chemistry has played a vital role in increasing the life expectancy from 47 years in 1900 to 75 years in 1990. Frequent reports are published about violating the statutory norms for the usage / availability of hazardous chemical limit in eatables, mineral waters and beverages especially soft drinks. For example, recently, a Joint Parliamentarians Committee (JPC) set up by Government of India probed the pesticide limits in some popular soft drinks following the complaints of exceeding the limit. The JPC furnished the report on 4th February 2004 and found the allegations true. Another example may be quoted of the use of food colours in eatables. In Indian rura1 markets especially various colours, are encountered in soft drinks, sweets, sausages, pickles, bakery and confectionery products etc. A general rural and illiterate consumer is not aware that what to eat and how much. He is attracted towards the sparkling colour which may even be the potent carcinogen. Moreover in vegetables, green colour, malachite green, a potent carcinogen is frequently used to polish the India, kerela, bhindi, parval (general Hindi names) etc. to show them green and fresh. A survey in early seventies conducted by ITRC, Lucknow, revealed that more than 10% of colours used in eatables were non-permitted by Prevention of Food Adulteration Ru1es (PFAR 1955) in India. WHO Expert’s Committee on Food Additives has placed these non-permitted colors in category CII, meaning that the data for long term effects are not available/ adequate for these dyes. Likewise, there are a number of chemicals which are used in daily life as preservatives, soft drink preparations, kitchen preparations, etc. not, safe for tile human health.

Various chemicals, pesticides, insecticides and colours are drained out from the agricultural lands, chemical/pharmaceutical, dying/printing and there industries, tanneries etc., which ultimately contribute to all three, water, air and so pollutions. Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), the gas used in refrigerating units is showing its effect and many places in the world, especially some parks in Australia, are banned to visit as CFC has dissolved ozone layer resulting the holes in safety cover (ozone) of radiation, due to which the people are exposed to solar radiation directly that my cause skin cancer.

Green Chemistry not even include the shift of the use of harmful chemicals but also directs to set the usage of systems where the use of chemicals could be minimized and with maximum atomic economy. So, Green Chemistry involves the design and redesign of chemical synthesis and processes to prevent pollution, rendering the products cost effective and environmentally friendly. It encourages the water based processes and products, usage of soiled acids Green Chemistry favours the maximum use of natural products/chemicals derived from plants and earth. It also restricts the wastage of the raw material, product and by-product, making the process economically viable.

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