Chemical industry, attitudes toward

As a consequence, much of the public has come to believe that most chemicals are hazardous. A recent poll by the Roper Organization revealed that two out of three American citizens expect a major chemical disaster, resulting in thousands of deaths, within the next 50 years. The poll also found that a high proportion of the public lacked confidence that industry would deal openly with them. A public attitude toward exposure to chemicals is developing that can be summed up by the words, "no risk." But, as a judge recently stated, "In the crowded conditions of modem life, even the most careful person cannot avoid creating some risks and accepting others. What one must not do, and what I think a careful person tries not to do, is to create a risk which is substantial." ... 

Attitudes towards the chemical industry then emerge on the surface of these foundations, and general opinions crystallize out. At times, these react very sensitively to developments within the industry and our industry s public presence, but also to events and changes in mood in the general economic and socio-political environment. 

PwC 2002 Sustainability Survey. PwC conducted a sustainability survey in 2002, obtaining responses from 104 companies in many industry sectors. Fourteen of the respondents were from the chemical sector. Although the questions were not identical, responses from the chemical sector indicate similar attitudes towards sustainability. 

Workshop participants leave with a better understanding of industry and what is involved in industrial research. They learn a great deal about our attitude toward handling chemicals safely and appreciate that we, too, are concerned about the environment. 

Parker adds, "As a member of the chemical industry, I ve also been gratified to see changes in the teachers attitudes toward applied science. Unfortunately, I think sometimes the public in general considers the term toxic chemicals to be one word. While in the program, the teachers see that Marion Merrell Dow s chemical research into pharmaceuticals is saving lives, not destroying them."... 

Is the program a success Quantitatively, pre- and post-workshop questionnaires show positive change in the teachers attitudes toward the chemical industry, toward scientific innovation, and toward science education. 

The authors of this book have been able to respond to this analytical approach to different extents. In several national cases it is evident that the chemical societies chose more or less inclusive strategies - however, for different reasons. The inclusive strategy in the Scandinavian societies was primary based on the limited size of the scientific environments of the individual countries. More restrictive strategies might very well have hindered the survival of the small societies. In the French case, however, the open and inclusive attitude towards the industry was rooted in an expectation of an essential financial support therefore the boundary between the society and the applied sector in France should be looked at as a means of communication rather then as a barrier. This applies to many of the negotiated boundaries in several other societies, as does another fact mentioned in the French chapter, namely that the boundary-work was primarily done unreflectively as a result of everyday routines. The Dutch society undoubtedly chose the most inclusive strategy of all - a choice the society has maintained to the present and which has resulted in... 

A total of 55 information sessions were held. There was a great deal of variety, as much in the number of participants as in their attitudes towards the campaign, the chemical industry, and the administration. 

The company s safety record and the management s attitude toward safety are likely to be something that you consider when you select an employer. Do not hesitate to ask a prospective employer about safety. You may learn something about their attitude and approach to safety that may help you make important judgments. It is important that you take a positive attitude about safety to your new job, and you will want to work for an employer who has a similar interest in safety. Figure 1.3.2.2 illustrates a situation in the chemical industry where lack of knowledge or an indifferent attitude about safety can pose very serious risks. 

In the sixties the public attitude towards the chemical industry in general and the chlorine industry in particular changed dramatically for the worse. Heavily publicised incidents such as Seveso and Minimata and the effects of ozone depletion and DDT plus frequent news about the suspected carcinogenic properties of many organo-chlo-rine compounds created a very hostile attitude in the general public and the media. 

In a survey of chemical research in the Depression, Maurice Holland and W. Spraragen of the National Research Council reported that the chemical industry has been largely founded on the results of the research laboratory. It is not surprising, therefore, that even in times of adverse business conditions the leaders of this industry should turn to research as a useful tool in maintaining their profits and reducing losses to a minimum (III, Holland and Spraragen, 1932, 956). For an indication of the favorable attitude of investors toward the chemical industry in the late 1940s, see III, Naess, 1948. 

Despite an initial hesitation and wait-and-see attitude of the chemical industry toward the end of the last century, NIR spectroscopy is now certainly the vibrational spectroscopic technique that is most frequently applied for reaction control and has the largest installation figures in terms of in-line/ on-line process analytical applications. One exception in this respect was certainly the petrochemical industry. In this branch, the value of the NIR technique has been recognized very early with the consequence that its implementation as on-line process control tool has led to a drastic improvement in plant operation by improved process stability and more accurate blending procedtnes. Primarily, the last-mentioned factor has contributed toward a significant increase of profit due to a drastic reduction of the so-called giveaway. ... 

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