The Modern Industrial Chemical Industry Modifies Our Way of Living

The Modern Industrial Chemical Industry Modifies Our Way of Living 

During the 1800s, chemists discovered about half of the 100 known elements. After 1850, organic chemicals, such as coal-tar dyes, drugs, nitroglycerin explosives, and celluloid plastics were developed and manufactured. The two World Wars created needs for new and improved chemical processes for munitions, fiber, light-weight metals, synthetic rubber, 

After the Second World War, the expansion of the petroleum refining and chemical process industries far outstripped that of the rest of the manufacturing industries. The chemical industry also was different than the older established industries due to the nature of toxic and flammable liquids and gases. [12] Naturally, the handling and storage of hazardous materials presented a potential peril that was often far greater than those posed by the traditional industries. 

The chemical industry generally handles business so well that it is difficult to find large numbers of recent incidents for examples. Many of the featured case histories in this book occurred over 20 years ago however, the lessons that can be learned will be appropriate into the twenty-first century. Tanks can fail from the effects of overpressure and underpressure in 2010 just as well as they failed in the 1980s. Incompatible chemicals are incompatible in any decade and humans can be forgetful at any time. Before we review a single case history, it is time to boast about the safety record of the chemical industry. 

---

The modern industrial chemical industry modifies our way of living... 

---