Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Resources by Project Area - Chemistry Resources

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Chemistry Resources

Environmentally responsible chemistry practices are often referred to as "green chemistry," which is the design of chemical products and processes that are more environmentally benign. Although most educational green chemistry programs focus on college classrooms and laboratories, the following resources contain useful introductory and general information applicable to K-12 schools.

EPA's Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools Web site features a "Teacher's Checklist" covering 11 major topic areas, including science supplies. The checklist gives examples of supplies and activities that could contribute to IAQ problems. It also provides teachers with suggested steps for learning about supplies; making purchasing decisions or recommending products for purchase; following correct safety, handling, and storage procedures; and minimizing exposure to hazardous materials.


EPA's Green Chemistry Program Web site contains general information about green chemistry including various tools and publications. A variety of EPA's educational green chemistry efforts are also described.


The Chem Info Net is a chemical health and safety resource for K-12 schools and colleges. The Web site contains information on chemical management, storage, and safety and includes extensive teacher resources.


The American Chemical Society's (ACS) Green Chemistry web site contains general information, including a description of the twelve principles of green chemistry. A brief overview of the new Green Chemistry Educational Materials Development Program is included, and contact information for those interested in learning more about green chemistry is provided.


The Green Chemistry Expert System (GCES) allows users to build a green chemical process, design a green chemical, or survey the field of green chemistry. The system is useful for educators of all levels and is equally practical for new and existing chemicals and their synthetic processes.


• The Green Chemistry Institute's (GCI) Chemical Education Initiative is a green chemistry education strategy developed by the EPA's Green Chemistry Program, GCI, and the ACS Education Division. The program addresses pollution prevention and green chemistry curriculum development for Kindergarten through 12th grade. This program is still under development, but school faculty and staff may obtain information by contacting one of the collaborating organizations directly.
  
  
Published by the American Chemical Society for educational purposes, Real World Cases in Green Chemistry describes ten projects that have won or been nominated for the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award. The book provides practical information about real-world applications of green chemistry.


The Catalyst web site was developed specifically for secondary education and high school level teachers as a resource for finding relevant information for use in the teaching of chemistry. Many topics are addressed, including experiments, laboratories, and supplies.


• The Flinn Scientific, Inc. Safety Index Flinn Scientific is a science supply company. This portion of Flinn's Web site contains articles on laboratory safety, including direction and guidance for teachers cleaning up and organizing their classroom's chemical storage area in the "Seven-Step Plan to Clean Up Your Chemical Storage Area" and guidance for purchasing specifications for laboratory chemicals in "Chemical Purchasing Suggestions Guaranteed to Make Your Lab a Safer Place to Work and Teach."

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