期刊名称：Hyle : International Journal for Philosophy of Chemistry
印刷版ISSN：1433-5158
出版年度：2017
卷号：23
期号：1
页码：29-60
出版社：HYLE Publications, Karlsruhe and University of Karlsruhe
摘要：We examine polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as one example of the ethicalchallenges that the chemical industry faces when putting green chemistry intopractice. Green chemistry has emerged as a powerful new philosophy for designingmolecules, reactions, and products to be intrinsically non-toxic andsustainable. We consider three issues: Should the chemical industry overcomethe inertia of path dependent technologies and introduce safer, more sustainabletechnologies? What will motivate companies and their employees to practicegreen chemistry under conditions where changing technologies and businessescan create substantial economic, market, and technical risks? Howshould the precautionary principle be applied in terms of the real-world complexitiesof manufacturing chemicals? To do so, we look at examples of environmentaland health harms in the feedstock and PVC manufacturing lifecyclestages, along with green chemistry solutions that could be employed. PVCsuggests how difficult it could be to adopt green chemistry solutions; nonetheless,these solutions may make significant contributions across the chemicalindustry generally.
