Tuesday, December 23, 2014

SCIENCE SPECIAL..ROLE OF CHEMISTRY

ROLE OF CHEMISTRY
The Confederation of Indian Industry recently organised a one-day conference to highlight the ubiquitous nature of chemicals, as part of a concerted effort to communicate the role & relevance of chemistry & the chemical industry to modern living and society. This is a commendable initiative that must go beyond addressing industry stakeholders – who are already converts – and reach out to broader society. This is admittedly a difficult, time-consuming and not inexpensive proposition, but one well worth doing if the chemical sciences are to continue to attract students seeking a career and if industry is to find enablers for growth.
Everywhere and in everything
Chemicals are everywhere and in everything. It is the stuff of life, and all encompassing. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the clothes we wear are all creation of chemistry – natural or synthetic. Chemistry is a great enabler of all sorts of things that we today take for granted: electronics & electricals, membranes & materials, herbicides & herbal extracts, paints & plastics, to name just a few. Chemistry feeds, clothes, lights, lightens, cures, cleans, energises and embellishes the world. It reduces the complexity of buildings, lessens the weight of planes & cars, alleviates pain & suffering, and preserves food & crops.
Arguably, no science has made as great an impact as chemistry. It is, as Prof. M.M. Sharma says, both the queen and servant of biology. While space missions have been made possible by physics and mathematics, the probes they carry seek answers of chemistry – be it the composition of alien atmospheres, comets or inhospitable planets. Clues to the possible existence of extra-terrestrial life will most likely come from detecting organic molecules and minerals – the stuff of chemistry!
Role in enhancing food security …
Chemistry’s role in enhancing food security, in particular, can never be overstated in a populous and poor country like India. If it were not for the Haber-Bosch process – for producing ammonia (and then urea) literally out of thin air – Malthusian predictions of doom and widespread famine could well have been a reality. Agrochemicals used in milligram quantities are now capable of warding off pests, and remarkably distinguish between a weed and the desired plant, even where the naked eye cannot (as in a flooded rice field). The positive impacts of these developments in chemistry – in terms of yield improvement and efficient use of soil nutrients – are immense, but poorly communicated to and understood by the common-man. Post-harvest food preservation – a vital but neglected area in India – is only possible through the judicious use of chemicals. Getting fresh produce to consumers with its vitality intact requires not just a cold chain – impossible without chemistry – but also packaging. Polymers play a tremendous role here, but it is unfortunate that this is only recognised in the waste generated.
and in purifying water
It is chemistry that makes humble water fit to drink or for use in industrial processes. Starting from simple chlorination – which has saved more lives than most medical interventions – to membrane processes to remove soluble salts to levels of a few parts per billion, and treatments for turning brackish & saline water potable, chemistry plays an unheralded and unappreciated role.
The simple act of hand-washing with soap – one of the earliest products of the chemical industry – has saved more lives than most drugs. If medical science is able to stay one step ahead of deadly bugs it is due to chemistry. While the first antibiotic – penicillin – was a serendipitous discovery of biology – it is the directed tweaking of the structure of this molecule through chemistry that has provided a cornucopia of antibiotics in the armoury of doctors today. The call for a Swacch Bharat by the Prime Minister will need all the might chemistry has to offer.
Reaching out to the young
For all of its virtues, the irony is that chemistry earns a bad rap. The immediate connotations of the term ‘chemicals’ are almost always negative, and this is what the CII campaign is hoping to set right. This is an ambitious exercise, but one that is very much needed. All stakeholders, including industry and government, must support it.
Attempts to alter deep-set perceptions of chemistry and of the chemical industry need to start young – at the school level when impressions are formed and interests sparked. Teachers have an important role to play in igniting young minds to the wonders of chemistry, but need to be aided by a contemporary curriculum that presents a balanced perspective of the contributions of chemistry. Experiments can be designed to entertain and educate, and need not necessarily be confined to a laboratory. A commendable initiative by scientists at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai, called ‘Chai and Why’ takes science (not just chemistry) to the masses. The simple experiments use common tools, as found in a kitchen, to demonstrate scientific principles in a manner that makes for fascinating watching. Likewise, scientists at National Chemical Laboratory in Pune carry out outreach programmes. The idea behind all of these efforts is to bring in the ‘wow factor’ and put fun into fundamental research. But they need to be amplified many times over if they are to have an impact. Resources for such enhanced efforts need not only come from government; industry and industry associations should extend a welcome hand – for selfish, if not altruistic reasons.
Leveraging media ….
The chemical industry must also partner mainstream media, including social media, to communicate the virtues of the industry. Carrying messages only through trade publications (as this one) is akin to preaching to the converted and will serve limited purpose. Captains of industry must take it upon themselves to convey the role of chemistry through consistent, concise and clear opinion pieces and articles. Regular interactions – and not only when there is a product launch to plug – with editors and senior correspondents of major newspapers and TV networks will pay dividends. It will be a good idea to sponsor open debates in TV channels on the role of chemicals and the industry. Large companies should make outreach to the communities living in the vicinity of their plants an integral part of their operations. Many do, but it is not enough.
and other communication tools
It will also be a good idea to set up permanent or temporary exhibitions to highlight the positive contributions of chemical sciences. Students from nearby schools could be brought in to see for themselves the wonders of chemistry. This column has had the fortune of visiting a communication centre created by Bayer at their site in Leverkusen (Germany) and amazed to see tens of school children playing and learning, and often unable to see the difference! Surely at least a couple of companies in India can afford to set up something similar?
The Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai has an excellent ‘Hall of Fame’ highlighting stellar achievements in chemical technology, but is tucked away deep in the corridors of the institute and not accessible to outsiders. Can officials consider bringing in school children, say once a week, for a guided tour of this inspirational facility? Can the Indian chemical industry come together to fund something akin to the Chemical Heritage Foundation in the US to document and celebrate chemical sciences?
Improve realities, then perceptions
Before setting out to improving perceptions, it is vital to improve realities. Sections of the industry continue to get away with environmentally irresponsible behaviour, and bring a bad rap to the industry as a whole. Every attempt must be made to correct this state of affairs if the industry is not to lose the all-important license to operate – either by actions regulators or by the legislature. This will be a tragedy and not allowed to happen! Mind-sets need to change. Today.
RAVI RAGHAVAN Chwkly 141202



Chemistry with a purpose delivered by a responsible industry - Ravi Raghavan

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