Greenness metrics for analytical methodologies linked to mass spectrometry

Abstract

With a global focus on sustainability and environmental impact, scientists have been prompted to adopt eco-friendly practices. Green analytical chemistry (GAC) promotes energy-efficient equipment, reduction of toxic chemicals, and sustainable waste management. Therefore, evaluating and minimizing the environmental impact of analytical procedures is crucial. Given the pivotal role of mass spectrometry and related techniques in analytical chemistry and other applications, there is a growing need, a necessity, to incorporate and expand green metrics in the field. Even though various metrics are currently being developed and used to assess the sustainability of analytical methods, only a few studies are found in the literature that evaluate mass spectrometry analytical strategies, focusing mainly on Analytical Eco-Scale (AES), Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI), and Analytical Greenness Metric (AGREE). Thus, this review explores the relevance of green metrics applied to analytical methods linked to mass spectrometry, discussing their implications and challenges. The potential use of GAC metrics for alternative mass spectrometry approaches, including miniaturized instruments and emerging ionization techniques, is also evaluated.

Keywords

• Greenness metrics
• Greenness assessment
• Mass spectrometry
• Analytical eco-scale
• Green analytical procedure index
• Analytical greenness metric