EPA calls for green chemistry nominations

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a call Thursday for the 15th annual Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award nominations.

The EPA said the awards recognize innovative chemical technologies that incorporate green chemistry into the design, manufacture and use of chemicals that have broad applications in industry.

"Nominated technologies should reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances from a chemical product or process," the agency said in a statement. "Any individual, group or non-governmental organization, both non-profit and for-profit, including academia and industry, may nominate a green chemistry technology for the awards. Self-nominations are welcome."

Awards are made each year in five categories: greener synthetic pathways, greener reaction conditions, designing greener chemicals, small business and academic.

Officials said each nominated technology must have reached a significant milestone within the past five years in the United States.

Nominations must be submitted no later than Dec. 31 to be eligible for the 2010 awards, which will be presented in June.

More information is available at http://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/pubs/pgcc/howto.html.