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| Swapan Kumar Bhattacharya addresses the symposium at Magadh Mahila College on Tuesday. Picture by Jai Prakash |
Patna, Dec. 13: Time has come to apply the theories of green chemistry to minimise the use and generation of sub-stances hazardous to the environment and human bei-ngs, academics from various parts of the country and abroad emphasised today.
They were in the city to take part in a symposium, “Green chemistry: Key to our life”, organised as part of International Year of Chemistry 2011 celebrations by the chemistry department of Magadh Mahila College on the institution premises.
Addressing the seminar, Rajiv Kumar Sinha, a senior faculty member of Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia, said: “Over three million people die because of air pollution-related diseases every year, while about 2,000 people suffer from lung cancer because of passive smoking. We have to think about applying green chemistry while designing chemicals and processes so that it helps in reducing or eliminating the hazards.”
He added: “About 80 to 1 lakh chemicals are used everyday and nearly 1,000 new substances are added every year. At least 861 neuro-toxic chemicals are used in perfumes that we use every day.”
He also said: “Agrochemicals, which unleashed the Green Revolution, and fossil fuels that unleashed industrial revolution are both proving to be ‘mixed blessings’ for mankind.”
Swapan Kumar Bhattacharya, a chemistry teacher from Jadavpur University, Calcutta, and Sahid Hussain from IIT, Patna, also spoke on the need to raise awareness about the importance of applying green chemistry in every day life for long-term sustainability.
On the other hand, international non-government organisation Greenpeace today released a report, “Urja Kranti Ki Jagmagati Tasveer Akshay Urja Prakalpon Ke Namoonon Kaa Adhyayan”, which emphasised the need for renewable energy.
Ramapati Kumar, campaign manager, Greenpeace India, said: “The report shows the way forward on how people can get energy, which is quick and cost-effective and does not put additional pressure on the environment.”
