From: Jessica Martin <jessica.a.martin**At_Symbol_Here**UCONN.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] MilliporeSigma Introduces New Greener Solvent, Cyrene
Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2019 08:41:07 -0400
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: 4D96CF16-294E-43D4-B992-D8A6C6C0EFDA**At_Symbol_Here**uconn.edu
In-Reply-To <1FE7AECF-A962-4DFD-BB1E-6BBF24E67AE8**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu>


This would depend on how you define the responsibility.  The concept of "green" chemistry is, of course, a relative concept.  The claim that they appear to be making for this product (I only read the blurb you provided below) is that the production process is greener.  You could be producing something that is equally as terrible and toxic as what it is replacing, but as long as the production method is less toxic or wasteful or comes from renewable feedstocks, for example, then you can claim that overall it is a "greener" product than what it replaced.  


That being said, I have always found it frustrating how little information there is out there on substances that make it to an SDS.  The amount of "data not available" slots is pretty infuriating, and makes doing an objective examination of your own processes more difficult than it really should be at this point in the game.  This level of difficulty dissuades all but the safety/green chemistry evangelicals from truly examining their work with sustainability in mind.

Best,
Jessica A. Martin
NSF Graduate Research Fellow
Graduate Student Career Council
Joint Safety Team 
Pinkhassik Group, Department of Chemistry
University of Connecticut
323-327-3974

"To change a community, you have to change the composition of the soil-
If you want to meet with me, come to the garden with your shovel so we can plant some sh-t." 
Ron Finley

"Argue for your limitations 
and sure enough they're yours." 
Richard Bach

"Don't make fun of grad students.  
They just made a terrible life choice."
Marge Simpson

"People don't realize this about chemistry: 
it's a lifelong source of humor."
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On Apr 26, 2019, at 8:10 AM, Stuart, Ralph <Ralph.Stuart**At_Symbol_Here**KEENE.EDU> wrote:

After reviewing the SDS for this new product, I have a philosophical question: 
Can a "Greener Chemical" have a "no data available" section on it's SDS? 
That is, shouldn't a complete hazard assessment be required before such a claim is made? It seems to me that a SDS provides the outline of the various aspects of a chemical's hazards that should be systematically investigated before such a conclusion is reached...

Oddly, Section 12.1 Toxicity Data says "No data available" and then lists some data.

- Ralph


BURLINGTON, Mass., April 24, 2019 /3BL Media/- MilliporeSigma today launched Cyrene=E2=84=A2 - a sustainable dipolar aprotic solvent, produced in two steps from a renewable cellulose source. The bio-derived alternative was created in response to the need for solvents to meet stricter regulation requirements for both employee safety and environmental sustainability. The new product targets the rising demand for greener alternatives to Dimethylformamide (DMF) and N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP).

"With a strong focus on green chemistry, MilliporeSigma is dedicated to providing today's scientists with innovative solutions to help solve environmental challenges before us," said Klaus Bischoff, head of Research Solutions, MilliporeSigma. "As a greener alternative, Cyrene=E2=84=A2 solvent allows our customers to improve the safety of their processes and reduce the environmental impact of their research and manufacturing - without compromising performance."

MilliporeSigma uses the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry that were developed and published by thought leaders Paul T. Anastas and John C. Warner in 1991 as a framework for its Green Chemistry practice.

DMF and NMP are under increasing regulatory restrictions, with both being classified by the European Union's Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as substances of very high concern. More recently, according to the European Union, the European Commission added NMP to the restricted substances list known as REACH Annex XVII - driving the demand for alternatives. Additionally, effective May 2020, consumer products containing more than 0.3 percent NMP will be prohibited in the European Union. Initial studies and testing have found Cyrene=E2=84=A2 solvent to be a more sustainable, safer option when compared with DMF and NMP.
....
<more information at URL above>


Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Environmental Safety Manager
Keene State College
603 358-2859

ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu





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