CHEMICALS WORLD

Everyday Applications of Chemistry
Chemical reactions occur continuously in the atmosphere, in factories, in vehicles, in the environment, and in our bodies. In a chemical reaction, one or more kinds of matter is changed into a new kind—or several new kinds—of matter. A few common chemical reactions are shown here. Life as we know it could not exist without these processes: plants could not photosynthesize, cars could not move, pudding could not thicken, muscles could not burn energy, glue could not stick, and fire could not burn.
Chemistry, study of the composition, structure, properties, and interactions of matter. Chemistry arose from attempts by people to transform metals into gold beginning about ad 100, an effort that became known as alchemy (see Chemistry, History of). Modern chemistry was established in the late 18th century, as scientists began identifying and verifying through scientific experimentation the elemental processes and interactions that create the gases, liquids, and solids that compose our physical world. As the field of chemistry developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, chemists learned how to create new substances that have many important applications in our lives.

CNN is reporting that the group Human Rights Watch has observed Israel firing white phosphorus into Gaza. Human Rights Watch is demanding that Israel stop. The practice of using deadly poisons on civilian populations is against international law; as is this collective punishment of the civilian population of Gaza. On CNN an Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson claimed last week that they were not using white phosphorus.As of today, the death toll in Gaza surpasses 900. According to a Reuters report, "Figures from Palestinian medics indicate at least 909 people have been killed. The health minister in Gaza's Hamas-run government said close to 400 of those were woman and children."The Israeli death toll is thirteen. According to reports, four soldier's deaths were caused by so-called "friendly fire."White phosphorus was also used by U.S. forces in Iraq. To me the inhumanity of it is a sign that the attacker is getting desperate and is losing the war. Israel is engaged in war crimes and cannot win in Gaza. In the court of world opinion, they have already lost.No one doubts that Israel is desperate to kill off as many Palestinians as possible in light of the power shift taking place in Washington, but resorting to chemical warfare and the wholesale poisoning the civilian population of Gaza as the world watches is almost too much irony to bear.

The chief lesson from a new article in this week's Science is, never, ever throw out out your samples. Most people are probably familiar with Stanley Miller's classic biochemistry experiment, in which he produced amino acids in a simulation of Earth's early atmosphere [PDF]. That experiment was groundbreaking, but since it was published in 1953 geochemsists have questioned whether it accurately reflected conditions on ancient Earth. But another of Miller's experimental results, which went unpublished until now, may be the response to that criticism.

Alcohols are widely used as part of a solvent blend for lacquers and lacquer thinners. Alcohols, especially Butyl Cellosolve and Butyl Carbitol are water miscible and are used as cosolvents in water-based coatings. Cosolvents are critical in maintaining solubility and stability as well as film formation of water-based coatings. They are polar and non-photochemically reactive. Alcohols must never be used with two-component polyurethanes because the OH group of the alcohol reacts with the NCO group of the polyurethane and neutralizes the chemical reaction. a include: • Methanol R6K1 • HAPS Complying Dye Stain Reducer • Isopropanol (Isopropyl Alcohol) • Secondary Butanol R6K19 • N-Butanol and Isobutanol • Diacetone Alcohol R6K24 Butyl Cellosolve R6K25 • Butyl Carbitol • PM Reducer R6K34 • Texanol® Ester Alcohol R6K33 Methanol R6K1 is extremely fast evaporating. Poisonous. Primary use is for dye stains. It is not HAPS compliant. HAPS Complying Dye Stain Reducer R6K21 is a special ethyl alcohol (ethanol) blend intended for diluting S61 HAPS complying dye stains to maintain HAPS compliance. It is more expensive than methanol. Generally ethanol is denatured by using small quantities of methanol but this makes it non-HAPS compliant. R6K21 uses a different compound. Isopropanol (Isopropyl Alcohol) - no sales rex - is slightly slower evaporation than ethanol. It is HAPS compliant. Secondary Butanol R6K19 may be used as a reducer (up to 10% reduction) in KEM AQUA 70P W/R Metal Primer and other W/R alkyds for slightly faster dry to handle. It helps the water to evaporate, helps apply thinner film for faster dry, will raise VOC and may give a flash point to the paint which will affect storage, packaging and safety. It is HAPS compliant.

(ICIS.com – Thomas Cook, American River International)All companies that operate global supply chains need to be sensitive to trade compliance within their import/export operations. And chemical firms need to raise the bar here because of the nature of their products and the scrutiny that government agencies bring to bear on them.There are six areas critical to best practice in global trade compliance: senior management engagement; point person; evaluation; standard operating procedures (SOPs); training and education; and Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). […]Chemical companies need to raise the bar of trade compliance management as the industry is targeted by government agencies that manage supply chain operations.A prudent company will seriously consider joining the C-TPAT program managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). To receive C-TPAT certification, which gives companies a favorable disposition by CBP on how they move freight across the border, companies inform CBP how their supply chain operates.Chemical companies can go even further by achieving Importer’s Self Assessment (ISA) status, which eliminates a substantial portion of Customs scrutiny for companies that meet high standards in operation, business process and SOPs.Other C-TPAT benefits include expedited clearances, mitigation of fines and penalties, access to CBP programs that offer competitive advantages, and help in maintaining supply chains in the event of terrorist acts.Trade compliance will not only keep chemical companies out of trouble, but will also assist them in running their export and import trade lanes better, more cost-effectively and more securely.

By MIKE STOBBE
ATLANTA (AP) - Traces of a chemical used in rocket fuel were found in samples of powdered baby formula, and could exceed what's considered a safe dose for adults if mixed with water also contaminated with the ingredient, a government study has found.
The study by scientists at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked for the chemical, perchlorate, in different brands of powdered baby formula. It was published last month, but the Environmental Working Group issued a press release Thursday drawing attention to it.
The chemical has turned up in several cities' drinking water supplies. It can occur naturally, but most perchlorate contamination has been tied to defense and aerospace sites.
No tests have ever shown the chemical caused health problems, but scientists have said significant amounts of perchlorate can affect thyroid function. The thyroid helps set the body's metabolism. Thyroid problems can impact fetal and infant brain development.
However, the extent of the risk is hard to assess. The government requires that formula contain iodine, which counteracts perchlorate's effects. The size of the infant and how much formula they consume are other factors that can influence risk.
The study itself sheds little light on how dangerous the perchlorate in baby formula is. "This wasn't a study of health effects," said Dr. Joshua Schier, one of the authors.

Common chemicals found in non-stick frying pans 'can harm fertility'article in the TelegraphExtract:"Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) are used to make products like Teflon, as well as waterproof clothing, pesticides and upholstery.
Studies have also shown that they have leached in small quantities into the water supply, in part because they are contained in foam used by firefighters.
A new study found that exposure to high levels of the chemicals, which can remain in the environment and the body for decades, could leave women struggling to get pregnant.
Women with high levels of PFCs in their blood were up to one and a half times more likely to have taken more than a year to conceive or required fertility treatment than those with low levels.
The study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, warns that the levels of exposure to the chemicals necessary to reduce fertility "are common in developed countries".
Researchers looked at the levels of two of the chemicals, called perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), in the bloodstreams of 1,240 women in Denmark who became pregnant between 1996 and 2002."