Full Disclosure: Christopher Swain did not pay much attention to his high school chemistry teachers. His late-blooming attempt to catch up may ring hollow to true scientists reading this. If you are such a scientist then, may we suggest you try to appreciate the spirit (rather than the vast reservoir of knowledge) behind this initiative.
Christopher Swain's TOXTOURTM encourages educational institutions to teach "Green Chemistry."
According to the Wikipedia, "Green Chemistry, also called sustainable chemistry, is a chemical philosophy
encouraging the design of products and processes that reduce or
eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. Whereas environmental chemistry is the chemistry of the natural environment, and of pollutant chemicals in nature, green chemistry seeks to reduce and prevent pollution at its source."
Put another way, we need to start teaching students to make molecules that DO NOT HARM LIFE. This will result in the creation of materials, methods, and products that can serve as alternatives to toxic products and processes.
(Making non-toxic molecules takes time though, and so, while we are waiting, the TOXTOURTM crew plans to clean up a whole lot of toxic molecules while we wait on educational reform. Starting with that old TV in your garage...)
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