During the Earth Week hosted by Students for Environmental Concerns, William Nelson, University adjunct professor of chemistry, spoke about the importance of green chemistry in creating a more healthy and sustainable environment Wednesday.

“Green is the way chemistry should be done,” Nelson said. “It influences every aspect of chemistry — inorganic and organic.”

The purpose of green chemistry is to prevent or reduce pollution at the source wherever possible. Nelson said it is better to prevent waste than to treat and clean up waste after it is formed.  

“17 percent of green chemistry research and development is being conducted in America currently,” he said. “Here in Illinois there have been efforts to develop green cleaning supplies.” 

He cited carbon dioxide being used as a cleaning solvent to remove contaminants from clothing rather than using traditional dry cleaning methods as an example. 

“We have the ability to produce non-toxic products,” Nelson said. “The goal is for the environment to be able to absorb it.” 

According to an Environmental Protection Agency report, cleaning products present both environmental and health risks. 

Alkylphenol ethoxylates, which are found in cleaners, were found to have adverse reproductive effects in wildlife exposed to polluted water. Phosphorous-containing dishwashing detergents also contribute to poor water quality and can increase the growth rate of certain types of plant life. 

The imbalance of plant life caused by this can have negative ramifications for the surrounding ecosystem by displacing native plant and animal life, according to the report. Some other cleaning products also contain volatile organic compounds, and have been shown to cause smog formation.  

Considerable steps have been taken to reduce pollution caused by cleaning products by changing both the chemical make-up and the packaging of the supplies, according to the EPA. The EPA created a guide for federal purchasers of cleaning products that addresses the environmental and health concerns towards certain cleaning products and how to discern and interpret product claims like “eco friendly” and “environmentally friendly.” 

Vanessa Florian, junior in LAS, attended Nelson’s green chemistry talk.

“I feel like green chemistry is being improved,” she said. “It really makes you realize what happens to all the waste in the environment. People tend to only look at the result and not the effects of waste generated in making the end product.” 

According to the EPA, natural cleaners are an easy and effective way to eliminate contaminants and prevent pollutions of the surrounding ecosystems. These natural cleaners provide a way for citizens to reduce the harmful effects of cleaning chemicals on the environment.

Dr. Brenda Wilson, associate professor of molecular and cellular biology, said citrus juice, or citric acid, and dilute vinegar can both be used as antiseptics and will still be effective in killing a variety of different microbes. 

The EPA encourages the use of bio-based renewable solvents like pine and vegetable oil. Nelson also said green chemists were working on replacing volatile organic compounds and chlorinated solvents with renewable liquid forms of carbon dioxide and even water.

Megan can be reached at [email protected].