From mouth-puckering sour gummies, to milky chocolate cups with peanut butter or fruity centers, candy is tasty as it is unique – and it turns out chemistry plays a large part in what makes Halloween trick or treating so “spooktacular” and so sweet. So, here’s an “inside look” at candy chemistry and the manufacturers that […]
Archive: October, 2014
U.S. manufacturing exports surging due to shale gas
Exports of manufactured products have risen 6 percent since the start of America’s shale gas production boom, according to a new report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It’s a sign that plentiful, affordable natural gas – already a strong catalyst for chemical industry export growth – is benefiting U.S. manufacturing. A reversal in U.S. […]
The many ‘spooktacular’ ways chemistry contributes to Halloween fun and safety
Got your costume for Halloween yet? Whether you’re a zombie or a princess, passing out candies at home or masquerading at a party, safety should play an important role in festivity planning for October 31. Chemistry is very much ingrained in and beneficial to those safety plans. Many Halloween safety tips from scientific and health […]
Enjoy your French fries and ignore the hype about BPA
This week, yet another new bisphenol A (BPA) study hit the news after being announced with a sensationalistic press release. The study appears to have been designed not to benefit public health, but to create drama. The study, from Frederick vom Saal and co-workers at the University of Missouri, examined potential exposure to BPA from […]
Picturing the impact of EPA’s ozone regulations
Updated 2:00 PM EST, December 2, 2014 America’s chemical industry is undergoing a historic expansion, made possible by plentiful, affordable supplies of natural gas and NGLs from shale. But EPA’s upcoming ozone regulations could put the brakes on manufacturing growth in many parts of the country. Bright outlook for chemical industry investment Due to the […]
Two keys to a stronger chemical assessment program: Planning for success and avoiding pitfalls
This week’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) workshop on the National Research Council’s (NRC) recommendations for improving federal chemical assessments gives the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) an opportunity to build on the progress it has already made in creating a sound, more transparent, and objective assessment program. While the agenda for the workshop covers […]
Plastics-to-oil technologies could add $9 billion to U.S. economy, says new report
Isn’t it time we stop burying our non-recycled plastics? Our society is always looking for new, alternative energy sources. Energy is not only vital to most everything we do, it helps to create jobs and enables economic growth. On this blog, for example, we’ve discussed how recovering non-recycled plastics and turning them into energy has […]
Tired accusations on TTIP
It seems self-evident that efforts to improve regulatory transparency while maintaining strong protections for the environment and human health; to enhance regulatory efficiency while reducing costs for governments and industry; and to stimulate the economy while supporting job growth should be shared objectives under the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Unfortunately, that appears not […]
Eastman Chemical, Merck win ENERGY STAR awards for use of CHP
Combined heat and power (CHP) systems got a big boost this week when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) handed out its latest ENERGY STAR awards. Eastman Chemical Company and Merck were among the companies recognized for “their highly efficient CHP systems.” Also known as cogeneration, CHP is the simultaneous production of electricity and heat […]
