Green and Sustainable Laboratory Practices in Organic Synthesis: Post-Earthquake Safety Enhancements at NDHU Chemistry

Abstract

The 2024 Hualien earthquake and subsequent chemical fire at the National Dong Hwa University highlighted the systemic vulnerabilities of laboratories located in seismically active regions. Drawing directly from this experience, we propose a unified framework for building green and resilient laboratories integrating three complementary pillars: green chemistry, resilient infrastructure, and institutional preparedness. Green chemistry reduces intrinsic hazards by adopting fewer solvents, employing energy-efficient synthesis, and implementing waste minimization strategies, thereby lessening both environmental impacts and disaster risks. Resilient infrastructure─including compartmentalized storage, seismic- and fire-resistant construction, and real-time monitoring─confines incidents to manageable scales, enabling safer evacuation and recovery. Institutional preparedness, strengthened through chemical map sharing, joint training with fire departments, and embedded emergency drills, ensures coordinated response capacity. Building on the NDHU case, we argue that future laboratories should further advance along three converging trajectories: AI-driven digital safety monitoring, integration of renewable and circular resource systems, and global standardization of laboratory safety practices. Together, these measures transform hard-learned lessons into a roadmap for laboratories that safeguards innovation while protecting people, society, and the environment.