Recently in California Green Chemistry Initiative Category

California Department of Toxic Substances Control Director Maureen Gorsen explains how, by using wiki technology, California shares with the public at large its mandate to create Green Chemistry regulations.

Director Gorsen also instructs wiki users on how to participate in this innovative approach to advancing California's green product revolution. California is implementing the first body of green chemistry law in the world and DTSC, the agency charged with its implementation is making history by writing the regulations on real time along with stakeholders and the people of the State of California.


Wiki for Green Chemistry

Greening Consumer Electronics:
Moving Away from Bromine and Chlorine

Two leading environmental organizations, Clean Production Action and ChemSec, have released a new report showing companies that are leading the electronics industry by moving away from chemicals that can lead to health and environmental problems. features seven companies who have engineered environmental solutions that negate the need for most -- or in some cases all -- uses of brominated and chlorinated chemicals. This includes eliminating brominated flame retardants and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which can create dioxin, a human carcinogen, during the burning of e-waste. 

The best time to clean up "brownfields" that are dead because of toxic pollutants -- is not not use toxic chemicals or processes in the first place.  But how?  It's not easy to green manufacturing, especially high performance gadgets at low prices.  But it is possible.

ALSO NEEDED, consumer support :  Need to know how to recycle your electronics (TVs, computers, phones) safely?  Try Electronics Takeback Coalition.

Design firm Perkins+Will Introduces Precautionary List Examining Chemicals and Building Materials

"There is an ever increasing focus in the green building movement on the relationship between humans and the built environment," notes Peter Syrett, AIA, LEED AP™ of Perkins+Will and one of the creators of the Precautionary List. "There are thousands of chemicals used in a building and only a small percentage have been tested. We created the Precautionary List to advocate for alternative building products and advocate care when using products that have identified chemical hazards."

One example from the list is mercury, a known neurotoxin that can be found in HVAC controls, lamps, resilient floors and thermostats. The precautionary list showcases mechanical controls without mercury systems, different flooring systems, mercury-free lamp alternatives and encourages builders to pursue, advocate and specify for these alternatives when reasonable.

The entire Perkins+Will Precautionary List is online at http://transparency.perkinswill.com/

Green Chemistry Initiative

How to create change, educate and collaborate through web-based technology - November 4, 2009, 1:00 - 2:30 pm PST in the Byron Sher Auditorium inside the Cal/EPA Building in Sacramento and via web cast

Mr. Chip Walter with the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University will present their beta version of web-based green chemistry and sustainability curriculum, a web based forum and an easy to use learning engine to deliver the interactive green chemistry curriculum to the world.

You can see the beta version of the web site at:

http://www.greenscienceinstitute.net/Default.aspx

Mr. Walter is an author, science journalist and film maker and is leading up the on-line learning initiative.  You can see his presentation on November 4th at 1:00 pm in person or via web cast at: http://www.calepa.ca.gov/Broadcast/

Mr. Walter can answer questions from those watching via the web by e-mailing: green.chemistry@dtsc.ca.gov