(125a) Sustainability: Real World Issues and Real World Solutions

EPA scientists are not only charged with solving real-world problems related to human health and the environment, but they are also challenged to solve these problems in a manner consistent with the principles of sustainability.  Green chemistry addresses the fundamentals of most of the work done within the EPA’s chemistry research programs.  Green chemistry, first developed within EPA by Dr. Paul Anastas has taken a prominent position within EPA and the entire chemical research community.  Advances in green chemistry have reached new levels in the scientific community and society, thereby resulting in unprecedented innovations in chemistry, materials, economics, pollution prevention, and human health.

EPA researchers have taken a leadership role in the development of numerous catalytic systems that have fundamentally changed chemical research in some areas (e.g. catalysis) as well as business practices in many sectors (e.g. waste remediation and water decontamination).  Not only have EPA scientists developed novel methodologies to make new classes of catalysts, but they have also developed these processes in a sustainable manner using green techniques.  The work presented herein will focus primarily on recent activities in the arena of catalysis, as well as the human health and environmental impacts resulting thereof.