The Green Chemistry and Commerce Council (G3) working group on Advancing Design for Environment and Green Chemistry in Government is interested in beginning a pilot project to partner industry with university researchers to find safer chemical solutions.

A suggested trial of this partnership is to focus on phthalates used in PVC for wire and cable applications. This initiative would include efforts to identify which phthalates are most commonly used, what alternatives exist already, whether alternatives can be created using green chemistry, and how the cost, performance, and safety of these alternatives compares to the chemicals already in use.

We'd like to get an idea of GC3 interest in this project.

Are phthalates a chemical of concern in your company, and if so are you interested in finding safer alternatives?

Would a focus on phthalate use in wire and cable be relevant to your company?

Are there other phthalate in PVC applications that you would be interested in researching such as medical devices, flooring materials, footwear, vinyl wall coverings, toys, adhesives, food packaging, etc.?

Please respond by Friday, February 5th to Melissa Coffin at melissa_coffin@uml.edu with your input on this project. Please let us know if you have any questions.

(Note: In June, 2009, Joel Tickner of the GC3 presented at our monthly GCGLN phone seminar. You can listen to his presentation by clicking here and you can download the accompanying powerpoint by clicking here.)