Vandana Khungar
University of Rajasthan, India
Title: Laws to Enhance Green Chemistry and Protect Humanity
Biography
Biography: Vandana Khungar
Abstract
With the development, human beings have created a background of destruction that necessitates incorporation of green chemistry in daily life. Adoption of this revolutionary and diverse discipline have led to significant environmental benefits, innovation and a strengthened economy. Laws have contributed significantly to enhance the concept of Green Chemistry in the United States. Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 governs the majority of industrial chemicals, Pollution Prevention Act 1990 has helped foster new approaches for dealing with pollution by preventing environmental problems before they happen. In 2008, the State of California approved two laws aiming to encourage green chemistry, launching the California Green Chemistry Initiative. One of these statutes required California's Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to develop new regulations to prioritize "chemicals of concern" and promote the substitution of hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives.
Such laws should also be implemented in India to combat accidents like Bhopal gas tragedy. Due to the leak of gas in the world's worst industrial disaster in1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant, 500,000 people were killed due to methyl isocyanate and other gases. This was an incident of the past but a good example of how mankind is still struggling with the use of pesticides in the present is Cancer Train. The train commences from Abohar and leaves from the Bathinda station to reach Rajasthan's Bikaner, where patients undergo treatment at the Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Treatment and Research Centre (RCC). In Malwa (Punjab) farmers use 15 different pesticide sprays and the unregulated and excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides have resulted in farmers and their families living in a cesspool of toxicity. Presently rise in cancer deaths (18/day) in Punjab can be attributed to indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals after the Green Revolution.
When developed nations like America can grow in the realm of green chemistry, then why not a developing nation like India?
When developed nations like America can grow in the realm of green chemistry, then why not a developing nation like India? The present study deals with recommendation of drafting and implementation of such laws in India and rest of the world, the details will be presented in the conference.