Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MNS), BRAC University organized a seminar titled “Green Chemistry” in university campus at Mohakhali on Monday, 18 July, 2016. Dr. Dawood Afzal, Professor of Chemistry, Truman State University, Kirksville, USA provided a brief historic overview of “Green Chemistry” and discussed the fundamental principles of its practices. Faculty members and students of Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MNS) attended the seminar. Professor A.A. Ziauddin Ahmad, Chairperson, Department of MNS introduced the speaker to the audience.
Professor Dr. Afzal talked about the Green reactions and processes associated with “Green Chemistry” that can reduce the hazardous impacts of various chemicals and toxic materials on human health and environment. It was discussed in the seminar that the creation of toxics and wastes can be minimized by designing chemical processes and commercial products and this in turn will reduce the negative impact of industrial pollution on human health and environment.
Green Chemistry can be looked as conducting chemistry and engineering by designing chemical process and commercial products in a way avoiding and minimizing the creation of toxics and wastes. In new reality of the 21st century, a Green process allows us to preserve our health as well as environment, therefore, sustain our planet.
Green chemistry concepts and practices are based on a few fundamental principles that evolved out of the need to address the negative impact of industrial pollution build-up and its adverse impact on human health as well as our environment during the 19th and 20th centuries in the industrial world. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was formed in the USA in 1970. EPA was charged with protecting humans and environment through setting and enforcing environmental regulations.
Green Chemistry takes EPA’s mandate a step further and creates a new reality for chemistry and engineering. In this presentation a brief historic overview will be followed by discussing the fundamental principles of Green chemistry practices with examples of Green reactions and processes and look into the future.
Professor Dr. Afzal provided a brief coverage of lab safety and pollution prevention and ways to design “Green Labs” also.