Safety: A Pillar of Green Chemistry

Organizers: Chris Nawrat, Sr. Scientist, Merck; Kevin Maloney, Director, Merck

Chemical safety is defined as the practice of using chemicals in a manner that ensures the safety and health of humans and prevents damage to the environment. Therefore, safety is an integral part of green chemistry to the extent that green chemistry is safe chemistry. This session will explore the safe use of chemicals in academic, industrial, and governmental labs focusing on several key components of chemical safety: scientific knowledge about potential hazardous effects, technical knowledge of safe-handling and use procedures, design of safer chemistry, design of less hazardous chemical synthesis, and waste prevention.