Chemicals are all around us – the trouble is that a lot of people do not realise it and still cling to an antiquated view which equates the industry as largely irrelevant to their lives.
The truth is very different, though, and, increasingly, chemical companies are making efforts to educate people about the role played by chemicals in everyday life.
There are estimated to be more than 80,000 man-made chemicals on the market with new ones being added every day.
The message from the manufacturers is that everything is made of ‘chemicals and that we use many of them in our daily routines.
For instance, one of the most important uses of chemicals has been the development of plastic, a synthetic material made from a wide range of organic polymers such as polyethylene, PVC and nylon.
Plastics have transformed our lives, replacing all sorts of other substances like wood, metal and natural cloths, thereby preserving precious natural resources.
However, a lot of people do not make the connection between the chemical plans they see on industrial estates and the plastic bowls in their cupboards.
