Business and Academic Partnerships for Safer Chemicals

In an effort to model GC3 business partnerships with academic institutions and NGOs to find green chemistry solutions, this project group is conducting a pilot project to reduce the use of toxic chemicals in products with the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production and the University of Massachusetts Lowell.  The focus of this pilot project is the evaluation of plasticizers (both phthalates and non-phthalates) used in PVC and non-PVC applications, for wire and cable applications used in electronics.  The evaluation will include an environmental, health, and safety assessment as well as technical performance testing.

Highlights of the Plasticizers Pilot Project

• Conducting research to address data gaps identified for three alternative plasticizers, TEHTM, DINCH, and DOZ, that have undergone the Green Screen evaluation;
• Identifying potential funding sources for conducting Green Screen evaluations for seven additional plasticizers alternatives;
• Submitting a research proposal by the UMass Lowell Plastics Engineering Department to the Toxics Use Reduction Institute to conduct material testing and performance testing for formulations with alternative plasticizers during the upcoming academic year;
• Presenting the work of the GC3 pilot project team at the U.S. EPA Design for Environment phthalates alternatives assessment kick-off meeting on August 24th to explore ways for the two initiatives to collaborate

 

For more information or to join the project group, contact Monica Becker.

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