Solvents

Methods for Incorporating Environmental Justice into Alternatives Assessment

Grace Campbell
2026
Incorporating Environmental Justice into Alternatives Assessment

Lessons Learned from Case Studies

This report presents new methods for integrating environmental justice (EJ) into chemical alternatives assessment (AA), a key decision-making process used to identify safer substitutes for hazardous chemicals in consumer products. Developed by the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry (BCGC) in partnership with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and UMass Lowell, the project aims to ensure that chemical safety evaluations better account for the needs and...

Greener Solutions 2025: Sustainable Solvents for Lubricating Sprays

Link to Final Report

Link to FInal Presentation

In developed countries like the USA, approximately 80% of households own a spray lubricant. The products are ubiqutious and versatile, however their performance relies on petroleum-derived solvents that contribute to volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, environmental persistence, and potential human health hazards. This project challenged the team to explore safer, bio-based alternatives to...

Greener Solutions 2022: Safer Nail Polish Solvents & Formulations

In partnership with the California Dept. of Toxic Substances Control and L’Oreal, this student team was tasked with identifying safer alternatives to previously used “bad actor” chemicals, such as toluene, in nail polish formulations.

Final Report Final Presentation Slides Recording of final...

Greener Solutions 2019: Alternatives to DMF with Nike

Dimethylformamide (DMF) is used extensively as a solvent and “texturizer” in the manufacture of polyurethane-based synthetic leather used in sport shoes and partner Nike wished to explore ways to reduce or eliminate the chemical from its production line.

DMF is a known liver toxicant and is associated with several other severe health outcomes. DMF can be easily absorbed by the dermal and respiratory systems, whereafter the liver is the primary target organ. Overall, DMF is a high or moderate hazard for the endpoints of carcinogenicity and...

Greener Solutions 2015: Low-temperature oily soil removal in laundry

This team was challenged to assess current laundry detergent formulations and propose strategies for laundry detergents that work effectively in cold water, low-energy wash cycles. Partners on this challenge included Method and Seventh Generation, who are both seeking industry-wide solutions to this challenge, and Amyris and BioAmber, two companies who are developing innovative, sustainable, and green ways to produce chemicals.

Final...