Analytical chemistry in the era of sustainability: evaluating tools and challenges for a greener future

Abstract

Analytical chemistry plays a crucial role in environmental monitoring, yet its own practices contribute to environmental degradation. To address this paradox, the emergence of the concepts of Green Analytical Chemistry (GAC), White Analytical Chemistry (WAC) and Green Sample Preparation (GSP) has led to the use of tools to evaluate analytical methods. Various tools have been developed to assess the environmental impact of analytical methods, including HPLC-EAT, AES, AMVI, GAPI, AMGS, RGB model and its evolutions, AGREE, AGREEprep, HEXAGON, LCA, SPMS and BAGI. They differ in their scope, assessment criteria, and methodological approach, from qualitative scoring systems to quantitative assessments. This review critically compares these tools, highlighting their strengths and limitations in evaluating sustainability across different stages of the analytical process. Particular attention is given to the assessment of chemical hazards, energy consumption, and impact quantification. The need for standardized, comprehensive, and accessible methodologies is emphasized to guide the transition toward truly sustainable analytical practices.