Green chemistry to protect workers & communities

Basic Description |  Scoring Protocols |  Definitions |  Issues

Problem:

All along the manufacturing life cycle of materials from cradle to gate - from the wellhead or field to the final assembly factory - workers and the nearby communities are exposed to toxic substances from the manufacture of building materials. Many of the substances used to manufacture building materials are known or suspected of being hazardous to human and animal health and have been associated with cancer, genetic mutation, reproductive or developmental harm, endocrine disruption and a large range of other chronic illnesses and acute hazards. Many more chemicals have not yet been adequately tested for toxicity. Of particular concern are persistent and bioaccumulative toxicants (PBTs) that remain in the environment without breaking down to safer compounds, travel long distances from their origin, and concentrate as they move up the food chain leading to high concentrations of concern in humans.

Goal:

Eliminate the use or creation of persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic, and/or untested substances in the manufacture of products that may endanger the health of manufacturing workers and neighboring communities and environments.

Ideal:

All substances used or created in the manufacture of products, from cradle to gate, are tested to insure that they are green chemicals - not persistent, bioaccumulative or toxic. Optimal materials and products will avoid halogenated compounds and not require or emit any PBTs or other hazardous substances anywhere in the extraction, harvesting or manufacturing process. This includes avoiding all use of toxic compounds in the growing of bio-based materials.