A CLEANER, GREENER FUTURE FOR

CHEMICALS

S P E C I A L S E C T I O N

NEWS

Can do p. 380

REVIEWS

Learning from the past and considering the future of chemicals in the environment p. 384

Tracking complex mixtures of chemicals in our changing environment p. 388

The exposome and health: Where chemistry meets biology p. 392

Designing for a green chemistry future p. 397

RELATED ITEMS

POLICY FORUM p. 360 PERSPECTIVE p. 369 PODCAST VIDEO

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379

Since the Industrial Revolution, develop-

ments in chemistry have transformed

entire sectors of the global economy,

often providing great benefi ts to society

and quality of life. But the production,

mass distribution, and disposal of in-

creasingly complex and persistent chem-

ical products have resulted in many cases

of ecological and environmental damage.

Harmful e ects for people are often concentrated

in those communities least able to avoid exposure,

and concern over unfamiliar chemicals in our

food, water, and homes is widespread. How can we

continue to develop molecules that address today’s

challenges while ensuring that we understand

the e ects of complex and ubiquitous chemicals

on our health and the environment?

On a global level, reducing greenhouse gas emis-

sions and fossil-derived raw inputs is imperative to

achieve a sustainable future. New chemical trans-

formations are necessary to supplement or supplant

many of those we rely on currently. We must also

reckon with the fate of the myriad complex chemi-

cals used in agriculture, consumer products, drugs,

and materials. We now have many sophisticated

tools to understand what happens to these mole-

cules as they are released into the environment. Our

health, and that of ecosystems around the world,

depends on our commitment to gathering this

information and taking action accordingly.

Julia Fahrenkamp-Uppenbrink conceived this special issue.

By Michael Funk and Caroline Ash

Chemists and their colleagues

work to understand and

manipulate the properties of

synthetic molecules as they

are developed and enter the

environment. More sustainable

and less harmful chemicals

can help us protect and

rehabilitate a world already

full of chemicals.

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A cleaner, greener future for chemicalsMichael Funk and Caroline Ash

DOI: 10.1126/science.aba8242 (6476), 378-379.367Science 

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