About

Paul T. Anastas is the Teresa and H. John Heinz III Professor in the Practice of Chemistry for the Environment at Yale University, with appointments in the Yale School of the Environment, Department of Chemistry, and Department of Chemical Engineering. He is the Director of the Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering at Yale. Trained as a synthetic organic chemist, Dr. Anastas received his Ph.D. from Brandeis University and has worked as an industrial consultant. He is credited with establishing the field of green chemistry during his tenure at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where he served as the Chief of the Industrial Chemistry Branch and as the Director of the U.S. Green Chemistry Program. His career includes roles such as Assistant Administrator for the US EPA, Agency Science Advisor, Director of the ACS Green Chemistry Institute, and Assistant Director for the Environment in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Dr. Anastas has published extensively on science and sustainability topics, including eleven books and numerous articles, and has contributed significantly to advancing green chemistry and sustainable engineering.

Research topics

• Political Science
• Business
• Computer Science
• Ecology
• Environmental health
• Biochemical engineering
• Materials science
• Management science
• Geography
• Risk analysis (engineering)
• Law
• Organic chemistry
• Environmental resource management
• Environmental protection
• Environmental science
• Medicine
• Biology
• Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Chemistry

Selected publications

• Water addition to e-liquids to reduce flavour aldehyde acetal formation: chemistry and user sensory experience and appeal

  Tobacco Control · 2026-05-20

  article

  BACKGROUND: Aldehydes are common e-liquid flavourants that undergo chemical reactions with the e-liquid solvents propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (G) to form acetals. Some flavour aldehyde PG acetals are respiratory irritants and may have negative user effects. Water-a byproduct of acetal formation-can shift the chemical equilibrium back towards the flavour aldehydes. This study combined chemical and human experiments to assess effects of water addition on acetal formation in laboratory-made e-liquids, commercial products and user experience. METHODS: Acetal content was monitored in laboratory-made e-liquids containing PG and one flavour aldehyde (benzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, ethylvanillin and vanillin) and commercial e-liquids based on PG/G with corresponding flavours (Cherry, Cinnamon, Vanilla and Grape as non-aldehyde-containing control) containing 0%-20% water over 28 days. E-cigarette users (n=30, 35.3 years (10.4), 51.7% female) assessed sensory and appeal outcomes of the diluted commercial e-liquids (no-added-water, 5%, 10% and 20%). Mixed-effects models assessed main effects of water, flavour and interactions. RESULTS: Water addition reduced PG-acetal buildup in laboratory-made e-liquids 1.3-38-fold depending on water content (more water was more effective) and flavour aldehyde (vanillin>ethylvanillin>cinnamaldehyde>benzaldehyde). Water addition to commercial e-liquids reversed combined PG/G-acetal content up to 26-fold. Among e-cigarette users, 20% water content (but not 5% and 10%) significantly lowered liking and reward (vs no-added-water). Water addition did not impact sensory outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Water appears to have a limited effect on appeal at ≤10%, while reducing flavour aldehyde acetal formation. Therefore, water addition to e-liquids may be an elegant regulatory approach to reduce exposure to potentially harmful flavour aldehyde acetals in e-cigarettes. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05257109.

  PublisherDOI

• Science to be proud of – A Global Policy Roadmap for Sustainable Science

  ChemRxiv · 2026-03-02

  articleOpen access

  The current research model, built for expansion and competition, too often rewards throughput over thoughtfulness. Laboratories discard functional equipment for minor upgrades, researchers fly halfway across the globe to deliver short talks, and procurement systems prioritize short-term costs over lasting value. These practices waste resources, but more critically, they erode the integrity and reproducibility of science itself. A sustainable research enterprise is not a limitation; it is the only way to preserve scientific credibility in a resource-constrained world.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Turning point for nylon microplastics: From pollution into magnetic radionuclides remediation media with antibacterial properties

  Journal of environmental chemical engineering · 2026-04-08

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Correction: Enhanced production of dimethyl carbonate from the alternating polarity electrolysis of methanol and carbon dioxide

  Green Chemistry · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  Correction for ‘Enhanced production of dimethyl carbonate from the alternating polarity electrolysis of methanol and carbon dioxide’ by Momoko Ishii et al. , Green Chem. , 2025, 27 , 14513–14521, https://doi.org/10.1039/D5GC02358K.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Using Machine Learning for Green Substitution of Industrial Chemicals: Integrating Functionality, Hazard, and Life Cycle Impact

  Chemical Reviews · 2026-01-02 · 4 citations

  article

  Industrial chemicals are characterized by their substantial production volumes, widespread applications, fugitive release into the environment, and the general lack of full awareness regarding their risks, carrying global unintended adverse effects on human and ecological health. In the ongoing pursuit of more sustainable and less hazardous industrial chemicals, a tremendous body of research has been developed. However, reliance on empirical molecular design based solely on human knowledge and expertise may not be adequate for avoiding regrettable substitution. Recent advances in generative machine learning (ML) technologies, and their applications in ML-assisted molecular design, possess immense promise to bring innovative solutions for green substitution of hazardous industrial chemicals. This review outlines the methodologies of ML-assisted molecular design and proposes design strategies for green alternative chemicals that possess both necessary functionalities and low environmental hazards throughout their life cycles. Additionally, case examples are provided to illustrate the methodologies and highlight areas that warrant further research, including the development of AI agents for both chemical risk management and green substitution. Applications of the methodologies can yield a sustainable and responsible way that both promotes the benefits of industrial chemicals and simultaneously minimizes their adverse impacts on humans and the environment.

  PublisherDOI

• Roger Sheldon - A Legacy of Green Chemistry Achievements and Wisdom

  ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering · 2025-11-17

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Polyunsaturated Hydrocarbon Polymers via RingOpening Insertion Metathesis Polymerization(ROIMP)

  ChemRxiv · 2025-05-08

  preprintOpen access

  The replacement of persistent plastics with chemically recyclable and environmentally benign alternatives has become an urgent issue for our society. Although an increasing number of degradable polymers are available, many of them are facing with common challenges, that do not always allow for efficient direct replacements for durable plastics such as polyethylene. In this work, we present a new methodology for synthesizing cleavable units containing elastomers and thermoplastics by Ring-Opening Insertion Metathesis Polymerization (ROIMP) of cyclopentene (CP) with unsaturated polyester and polycarbonate oligomers. In the first step, diallyl ester oligomers were synthesized through acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization, cyclopentene was then co-polymerized with the oligomers via ROIMP giving longchain polypentenamer (PP) dyads separated by easily cleavable singular ester or carbonate functionalities. Hydrolysis of the formed cleavable PP elastomer resulted in the formation of low molecular weight telechelic, OH-end-functionalized PP oligomers. Hydrogenation of the synthesized elastomers using Wilkinson's catalyst produced saturated long-chain hydrocarbon polymers with randomly distributed, cleavable subunits.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Integrating the exposome framework in CBRNe risk assessment: a holistic approach to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats

  The European Physical Journal Plus · 2025-11-15 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract This paper introduces the exposome framework as a transformative approach to improving Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNe) risk assessments. Historically, CBRNe evaluations have concentrated on acute exposures and immediate health effects, often overlooking long-term and cumulative risks. By incorporating the exposome—defined as the totality of exposures experienced throughout an individual’s life—this paper advocates for a more holistic understanding of health consequences posed by CBRNe agents. The exposome framework enhances the ability to account for low-dose, chronic exposures, residual contamination, and their synergistic interactions with other environmental and physiological factors. It is vital for assessing the health risks faced by vulnerable populations, such as first responders and communities living near CBRNe events. This paper explores emerging technological advances in biological and personal monitoring, omics technologies (genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics), and artificial intelligence (AI)-based modeling, which facilitate precise health outcome predictions. The policy implications of integrating the exposome perspective into CBRNe preparedness are also discussed, emphasizing the importance of proactive strategies that address immediate and long-term health effects of CBRNe agents.

  PublisherDOI

• Differences in “minty” flavor compound and synthetic cooling agent presence in US-marketed menthol-mint e-liquids and devices between 2019-2023

  Research Square · 2025-12-16

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• EnvironMental Health: A Framework for an Emerging Field at the Intersection of the Environment and Mental Health Crises

  GeoHealth · 2025-02-01 · 1 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Understanding how the environment shapes our mental and cognitive health is imperative to support efforts that promote healthy and sustainable living conditions. The etiology of mental health conditions remains often unclear, and social factors have received more scrutiny than natural or built environments. We present a conceptual framework illustrating the emerging intersection between the environment and neuropsychological health, intended to structure and guide research and funding, as well as public health and environmental initiatives. We conducted a scoping review of reviews of existing evidence on the impacts of the environment on mental and cognitive health. We found that an extensive body of work was focused on chemical hazards and the built environment and their associations with neurological and mental health, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, dementia, and mood. We identified emerging areas of research intersecting environmental factors such as air, water, light, and green space with schizophrenia and behavioral health. Our analysis of the intersections between the environment and mental and cognitive health allows for the identification of knowledge clusters and gaps, contextualizing needs and opportunities for future research and funding strategies. These significant connections showcase the importance of understanding the relationships between the environment and mental and cognitive health. With this work, we assert that the protection of the environment and its integration into healthcare can bring cascading benefits and synergies to mental and cognitive health and well-being and address the social and economic burden of the mental health crises.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• NSMDS: Improving Material Safety through the Minimization of Oxidative Stress Potential: A mechanistic understanding of ROS generation in in vitro and in vivo systems

  NSF · $5.0M · 2013–2019

Frequent coauthors

• Julie B. Zimmerman

  Yale University

  105 shared

• John C. Warner

  38 shared

• Evan S. Beach

  Yale University

  31 shared

• Hanno C. Erythropel

  Yale University

  30 shared

• L. Petitjean

  Yale University

  28 shared

• Predrag V. Petrović

  23 shared

• Rebecca L. Lankey

  Carnegie Mellon University

  22 shared

• Chun Ho Lam

  City University of Hong Kong

  22 shared

Awards & honors

• 2021 Volvo Environment Prize