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Westminster Professor to Discuss "Green Chemistry"

Posted on Friday, September 19, 2003

Dr. Peter Smith, assistant professor of chemistry at Westminster College, will present "The Green Chemistry Initiative" at the Faculty Forum Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 11:30 a.m. in the McKelvey Campus Center.

"Green Chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and/or generation of hazardous substances," Smith said. "It's past time for the chemical industry to recognize that it is too costly, both economically and environmentally, to continue using hazardous processes. As chemists, we should be concerned with developing non-polluting processes, instead of developing hazardous processes, and then trying to clean up the pollution."

"After discussing what Green Chemistry is, and why it's important, I will present some examples of Green Chemistry in action," Smith continued. "I will also discuss the ways that Westminster College is contributing to the Green Chemistry initiative."

Faculty forum, established in 1990, serves as a venue for the exchange of ideas and information among Westminster College faculty. Speakers present their research, teaching ideas, lectures, performances, special programs, and uses of technology to keep faculty informed about the work of colleagues from many disciplines.

Smith, who came to Westminster in 2002, earned his undergraduate and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Tennessee.

For more information, contact Smith at (724) 946-7299 or e-mail smithpm@westminster.edu.