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Introduction to Green Chemistry 2001. Albert S. Matlack.
Marcel Dekker, Inc. 551p.
Herbicides are the most commonly used pesticides in the US. Atrazine is the most
commonly used herbicide. The 1-2% that washes from fields into rivers kills some
aquatic plants. Atrazine is not removed from drinking water by conventional
water treatment. About 14 million Americans drink water containing herbicide.
Atrazine represents a class of chemicals termed endocrine disrupters. In lab
tests on lab animals it triggers mammary tumors and ovarian chromosome breaks.
We live in a world of healthy & harmful chemicals. Both natural and synthetic
chemicals can poison us. Natural toxins will be broken down by enzymes in
bacteria or fungi. Because they cannot be broken down, many synthetic toxins
persist for years or centuries. Some accumulate in food chains or animal fat or
circulate with global water or air flow to other continents.
Albert Matlack, chemistry professor at the University of Delaware, holds 130
patents for chemical processes. Here he presents 18 chapters of 8 ½" x 11" pages
with small print in a thorough book. He addresses the problems in chemical
syntheses, with by-products and with numerous toxins. Line drawings of many
organic structures enrich the text. Most chemical companies have a record of
environmental disasters combined with some environmentally smart efforts.
Albert summarizes efforts to develop earth-friendly sustainable alternatives.
For example, Dow Chemical is working to make poly-lactic acid from starch. This
could be substituted for petroleum as a raw material in making certain polymers.
With petroleum expected to run out in about 2035, we need alternatives.
He promotes green taxes, taxing waste, pollution, resource depletion, etc., as
the government reduces income taxes. As higher gasoline prices reduce the sales
of fuel inefficient vehicles, higher pesticide prices will reduce its sales.
Several progressive European countries have enacted green taxes.
Written July 16, 2005
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