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MPR features green chemistry at St. Olaf

By Kari VanDerVeen
October 16, 2009

A Minnesota Public Radio story focuses on how St. Olaf is using fewer toxic solvents and creating less hazardous waste in its chemistry labs, a move that’s not only environmentally friendly but also saves the college thousands of dollars each year. The story notes that with fewer toxic reactions, less energy is used to ventilate the science complex and fewer resources are needed for hazardous material disposal.

"It almost seemed like a no-brainer," Professor of Chemistry Bob Hanson tells MPR. "The students react to this very favorably and very much like, well 'why would you want to do this any other way? This is so obvious.'"

Contact Kari VanDerVeen at 507-786-3970 or vanderve@stolaf.edu.