Green Chemistry and Environmental Management Systems: Relationships, Synergies, Advantages and Barriers of Joint Implementation at Universities

Environmental Management Systems (EMS) based on international standard ISO 14001 are recognized as a tool to improve the environment and the sustainability of organizations. Green Chemistry (GC) seeks to reduce the use and generation of hazardous substances in chemical processes. This paper studies the relationship between EMS based on ISO 14001 and GC. We have analysed their similarities, difficulties, advantages, and synergies that can be developed with a joint implementation in general and in particular on university campuses. The results show that both disciplines have in common the philosophy of Continuous Improvement in the Processes (CIP) and that their joint application is possible, since each principle of GC are related to, at least, one clause of ISO 14001. It is shown that this joint application to different university areas can generate benefits, such as the reduction of hazardous waste and the promotion of green purchases, which favour the environmental improvement of universities. However, there are problems in their joint application related to the lack of specific knowledge and the difficulty of identifying products manufactured following the criteria of GC. Furthermore, a case study in the San Jorge University showing that both disciplines can be treated together is shown. Results were the following: seven GC initiatives (proposed by a small group of GC students) were submitted to the EMS office; only one was considered nonviable and two were implemented, achieving two main goals: Reduction of the environmental impact of laboratories and promotion of green purchasing in the laboratories of San Jorge University.

[Influence of abnormal weight and imbalanced diet on female fertility]

The cult of a slim body without the slightest bit of adipose tissue and the food restriction or selection habits it creates are extremely common in our society. Their influence on menstrual cycle and female infertility is not negligible. A vegetarian low calorie diet may induce cycle disorders and a short luteal phase. Disturbances in the pulsatility of gonadotropic hormones are responsible for anovulation, and they occur when slimness with excessive reduction of the body fat mass is associated with psycho-socio-professional stress factors or with intensive sporting activities. The greater frequency of dysovulation in obese women, notably those who put on weight rapidly, is accompanied by numerous hormonal changes, including reduced sex hormone-binding globulin, increased ovarian and adrenal androgen production, increased peripheral aromatization of androgens to oestrogens, and altered gonadotropin pulsatile secretion. The hyperinsulinism consecutive to insulin resistance in obese subjects might act as co-factor of the luteinizing hormone and as such participate in abnormalities of follicular maturation by stimulating the insulin-like growth factor and the ovarian androgens. However, the relative importance of these various factors in the physiopathology of abnormal ovulation remains to be determined. Overweight reduces the effectiveness of clomiphene citrate, menopausal gonadotropins and gonadotropin-releasing hormone in stimulating the follicles. Weight loss reduces hormonal disturbances and facilitates follicular maturation and ovulation in spontaneous or induced cycles.