Green Chemistry and Chemophobia

The problem of chemophobia is caused by an increasing chemical load on the environment on the one hand and an insufficient level of chemical literacy among the population on the other hand. This paper prepared from the materials of a report presented at the Scientific Session of the General Meeting of the RAS on November 14, 2019, presents the data of sociological studies providing insight into the attitude to chemistry in different countries. Green chemistry may become an efficient tool for overcoming chemophobia and agrochemophobia as a variant of it. It is not a new earlier unknown trend. It is rather a compact formulation of thinking principles for well-trained and socially responsible chemists–scientists or technologists. The latter thesis is confirmed by the active practical application of green chemistry approaches in industry including in Russia. However, not only the business community, but also top-level politicians have begun to try to follow this way of thinking. The United Nations has pointed out that green chemistry is a key science development trend.