Introduction

  

 


BSE. Genetic modification of crops. Cloning. Cancer causes…and cancer cures. The processes of science seem to intrude ever more frequently into our daily lives.

"At the heart of this scientific progress is chemistry, the process of converting natural materials such as water, salt...into useful products for everyday use."

The truth is, most of the time science is a power for good. Scientists get on, quietly and gradually, with the job of improving our quality of life and standard of living. So quietly, in fact, that we sometimes fail to notice, and take the benefits for granted. Did you know, for instance, that life expectancy increased by more than thirty years between 1900 and 2000, thanks largely to better nutrition, better hygiene, clean water and better health care?

At the heart of this scientific progress is chemistry, the process of converting natural materials such as water, salt, petroleum, coal, metals, vegetable oils, cellulose and starches from plants and gases from the air into useful products for everyday use. This is the job of the chemical industry.

Some chemical products are easily recognisable: drugs and surgical equipment, bleach and washing-up liquid and decorative paints and dyes.

"Chemicals have become a cornerstone of our national economy,.."

Others are raw materials in themselves, subject to further manufacturing, to make plastic for toys, fabric for clothes and furnishings, to mention just a few.

Chemicals have become a cornerstone of our national economy, the building blocks for many other manufacturing industries and one of the top wealth creators for Britain. The industry is also a big contributor to the social economy, through taxation and the business rates which help to pay the cost of local public services.