into other chemicals and may cause local , regional and / or global contamination , exposure of humans and wildlife and , in some cases , toxic effects . Recent concern has focussed on chemicals that degrade very slowly in the environment and accumulate in wildlife and humans .
Chemicals serve in a wide variety of roles that establish and / or preserve an elevated standard of living in countries at all stages of development and are now viewed as essential components of modern societies . While chemicals contribute to resolving many modern issues , they are also implicated with problems relating to unintentionally produced by-products , waste generation and disposal , environmental contamination and human and wildlife exposure due to the production , use and release of the thousands of chemical formulations and products in the marketplace . The key current international chemicals issue is whether modern society can balance the benefits derived from industrial growth , and the accompanying use of chemicals , with the immediate and longterm threats posed by chemicals to health and environment . This is a classic sustainable development issue . Policies for the sound management of chemicals are now recognised as essential components of overall public policy in countries at all stages of development and they should be reflected in national sustainable development plans .
The chemicals industry , considered by some to be the first high-technology industry , has played a central role in enabling technological change in all sectors of society since the mid-19 th century . This industry transforms raw materials into commodity and specialty chemicals and makes possible the development of countless products , many of which have become commonplace and are viewed as essential in elevating and / or maintaining the quality of life in modern society in both developed and developing countries . This research-intensive industry has evolved for over 150 years and will continue to do so as it responds to the constantly changing needs of the global community .
In a more recent initiative , Governments agreed on the need for improved co-ordination in the area of chemical safety and invited UNEP to lead the development of a strategic approach to international chemicals management ( SAICM ), based on the IFCS Bahia priorities , in cooperation with relevant stakeholders including Governments , inter-Governmental organisations and major agencies responsible for the funding and delivery of international development cooperation . The SAICM should promote the incorporation of chemical safety issues into the development agenda and identify concrete proposals for strengthening the capacity for the sound management of chemicals in all countries , taking into account the vast difference in capabilities between developed and developing countries .
Innovation in Chemical Engineering – American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Chemical process industries ( CPI ) and the chemical engineering profession are not always viewed by the general public as being very innovative fields . This perception may have some validity if we compare the CPI with the socalled technology sector . On-going developments in electronics and computers tend to bring about changes at a rapid pace and as such , the related businesses and commercialised products transform themselves both quickly and constantly . Chemical engineering contributions — such as scale-up , plant design , plant operation , and distribution — that are required to move those promising new developments toward commercialscale production are often invisible . For example , for smartphones , the development and mass production of better materials for the screen and body , improved electronic materials , and longer-lasting batteries require many chemical engineering innovations .
Furthermore , the general public does not understand the key role chemical engineering innovation plays in providing food , water , energy , and goods to consumers . To remain viable and competitive , the CPI must innovate every day — beyond just standard research and development ( R & D ) activities .
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