Paul Anastas, Head of Office of Research and Development, to Leave EPA

According to a tweet on the Agency's Twitter account, Paul Anastas will leave EPA in mid-February.  Anastas, whom some refer to as "The Father of Green Chemistry," has served as Director of EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) for the last two years.  He will return to Yale University where he once was Director of the Center for Green Chemistry and Engineering.  According to Twitter:

Dr. Anastas announces departure frm EPA, mid February to return to @Yale & family. EPA experience "rewarding, challenging & enlightening"

In an email to colleagues Anastas indicated that he will pursue research similar to what he did before at Yale. Previously Anastas had advocated the development of "greener" chemicals, i.e., those with a smaller ecological footprint and/or less toxic.  His research included the synthesis of green chemicals, polymers derived from biological sources rather than petroleum-based sources, and a variety of other practical methods used to develop safer chemicals.

Anastas writes in his email that he

"will continue to be part of the broader pursuit of sustainability through my work and research at Yale University. I have said before that while I can't always guarantee the win, I will always guarantee the fight. I have fought beside you in taking the necessary steps to protect the health and environment of the American public."

The EPA Twitter account tweeted on January 5th that:

EPA researchers will keep on the Path Forward Dr Anastas championed - Research for the 21st Century:  

Given the current state of Congress and their unwillingness to confirm even the least controversial executive positions, it is uncertain when EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and President Barack Obama will nominate a replacement to head ORD.  Last fall the President appointed Jim Jones to be Acting Director of the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention to replace outgoing Director Steve Owens.  Most likely an Acting Director for ORD will be appointed, with some suggesting it could be Associate Assistant Administrator Ramona Trovato.

Climate Scientist, former IPCC Chair, Bob Watson Honored with Knighthood

Climate scientist Bob Watson of the University of East Anglia has been awarded a knighthood. Watson is a professor of environmental sciences at UEA and also Director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, where he has been since 2007.  He was Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) from 1997 to 2002. 


Besides his knighthood, the now Sir Bob Watson has been the recipient of numerous awards over his prestigious career, including the National Academy of Sciences Award for Scientific Reviewing, the AAAS Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility, and the insignia of Honorary Companion of St. Michael and St. George, which he received from the British government.

Prior to returning to his native Britain, Watson had been Director of the Science Division and Chief Scientist for the Office of Mission to Planet Earth NASA and later was Associate Director for Environment in the Clinton White House.  He also served as a chief scientist with the World Bank and a variety of international environmental organizations.


He Chaired the IPCC during the development of the Third Assessment Report, which was published in 2001. According to Wikipedia, "In April 2002 the United States pressed for and won his replacement by Rajendra Pachauri as IPCC chair. According to New Scientist, "The oil industry seems to be behind the move." The industry campaign to oust Watson had begun days after George W. Bush's inauguration in January 2001, with a memo to the White House from Randy Randol of oil giant ExxonMobil asking "Can Watson be replaced now at the request of the US?"

According to the press release from the University of East Anglia, on receiving the news of his knighthood Watson said:

"I am delighted and humbled by this honour, which implicitly recognises the value of scientific knowledge in national and international environmental policy formulation. Of all the honours I have received this is very special, not only to me but also to my family and friends."

Photo credit: Courtesy of UAE.

ECHA Recommends 13 Substances of Very High Concern be Banned

According to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA):

"The European Chemicals Agency has submitted to the European Commission a recommendation that thirteen Substances of Very High Concern should in future not be used without authorisation. These substances are all classified because of their carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (or a combination thereof) properties. They are used in applications where there is potential for worker exposure.

The thirteen substances and their main uses within the scope of authorisation are:

• Trichloroethylene (carcinogen). A substance mainly used in surface cleaning, in textile scouring, in adhesives and as a heat transfer fluid.
• Chromium trioxide (carcinogen, mutagen). A substance mainly used for metal finishing and as a catalyst.
• Acids generated from chromium trioxide and their oligomers (group containing: chromic acid, dichromic acid, oligomers of chromic acid and dichromic acid) (carcinogen). A substance that could be used to replace chromium trioxide in many of its uses.
• Sodium dichromate (carcinogen, mutagen, toxic for reproduction). A substance mainly used in metal surface treatment.
• Potassium dichromate (carcinogen, mutagen, toxic for reproduction). A substance mainly used in metal surface treatment and as a processing aid.
• Ammonium dichromate (carcinogen, mutagen, toxic for reproduction). A substance with currently no uses in the scope of authorisation. It could however be used to replace other chromium(VI) substances.
• Potassium chromate (carcinogen, mutagen). A substance mainly used in metal surface treatment.
• Sodium chromate (carcinogen, mutagen, toxic for reproduction). A substance mainly used in metal surface treatment.
• Cobalt(II) sulphate (carcinogen, toxic for reproduction). A substance mainly used in surface treatment processes and as a water treatment chemical, oxygen scavenger and corrosion inhibitor.
• Cobalt dichloride (carcinogen, toxic for reproduction). A substance mainly used in surface treatment processes and as a water treatment chemical, oxygen scavenger and corrosion inhibitor.
• Cobalt(II) dinitrate (carcinogen, toxic for reproduction). A substance mainly used in surface treatment processes and as a water treatment chemical, oxygen scavenger and corrosion inhibitor.
• Cobalt(II) carbonate (carcinogen, toxic for reproduction). A substance mainly used in fertilisers and in surface treatment processes.
• Cobalt(II) diacetate  (carcinogen, toxic for reproduction). A substance mainly used as a catalyst and in surface treatment processes."

More information can be found on the ECHA site.