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Public Appreciation of Chemistry (PAC)

Public Appreciation of Chemistry (PAC). David Evans COCI Annual Meeting Marl, April 26, 2008. Position Statements and Fact Sheets: A proposal. “Be very, very careful what you put into that head, because you will never, ever get it out.” Thomas Cardinal Wolsey (1471-1530)

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Public Appreciation of Chemistry (PAC)

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  1. Public Appreciation of Chemistry (PAC) David Evans COCI Annual Meeting Marl, April 26, 2008

  2. Position Statements and Fact Sheets: A proposal • “Be very, very careful what you put into that head, because you will never, ever get it out.”Thomas Cardinal Wolsey (1471-1530) • The importance of science-based rebuttal of erroneous negative statements by reference to independent position papers • The availability of respected unbiased “fact sheets” and populist material to inform the public on matters of concern • A contribution to IUPAC’s potential NGO contribution? HOWEVER: • IUPAC does not possess the resources to mount an effective effort e.g. media, press etc • And in any case, such work is best carried out nationally • So, is there a role for IUPAC/COCI?

  3. Project proposal • There are many excellent sources of position statements and populist material internationally – learned societies, organisations promoting science, trade associations, companies etc. • IUPAC to establish itself as a key source of a) high quality internationally-recognised position statements and b) populist fact sheets • Step 1: Establish what is available (web, key learned societies) • Step 2: Concurrently, use IUPAC NAOs’ and Divisions’ knowledge • Step 3: Categorise by source (e.g. learned society etc) • Step 4: Sift by criteria e.g. objective independence, quality • Step 5: Sub-categorise by subject (e.g. Endocrine Disruption) • Step 6: Construct a compendium for publication on the IUPAC website and, periodically, in CI

  4. Position statements and fact sheets • IUPAC acts as the coordinator, indexer and publiciser of position statements as opposed to the generator • IUPAC will be acting as a resource with a global perspective • In addition to work by volunteers, IUPAC would need to commit significant website design effort • Is there sufficient capacity? • Several NAO’s already have much excellent material • Request permissions to ‘plagiarise’ • Stress relevance to capacity building in the developing world • As an example, there follows material from the extensive work of the RSC EHSC group - www.rsc.org/EHSCnotes • A healthy mix of position statements and populist fact sheets

  5. RSC “Notes” Initiative Environment, Health and Safety Committee [EHSC] Note on : WHY DO WE WORRY ABOUT CHEMICALS “Everything is made of chemicals. Every chemical can be dangerous if used in the wrong way. Equally every chemical can be used safely if controlled in the right way. Chemicals can bring great benefits to society. It is up to the relevant stakeholders to strike the right balance between the benefits of using a particular chemical and the resources required to control it. People have many concerns about chemicals. The Royal Society of Chemistry is an independent learned and professional body and does not speak for the chemical industry ............”

  6. “www.rsc.org/EHSCnotes” • 2007 • Why Do We Worry About Brominated Flame Retardants? • Why Do We Worry About Perfumes? • Risk Assessment at Work • Scale up of Chemical Reactions • Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP) • Inherently Safer Chemical Processes • LD50 - Lethal Dose 50% • Health and Safety of Young Persons • Exploring the Practical Aspects of Chemical Substitution • Reproductive Risks of Chemicals at Work

  7. More • 2006 • Environmental Management Systems • Individual Legal and Ethical Responsibilities for Environmental Safety • 2005 • Pregnant Workers, Chemicals and the Law • COSHH: The Competent person • Lone Working & Laboratory Activities • Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems • Practical Aspects of Chemical Substitution • Waste Management in Chemical Laboratories - Update • Life Cycle Assessment

  8. ....and more • 2004 • Potency of Chemical Carcinogens • Safety of Laboratory Workers with Disabilities • Harmful Effects of Chemicals on Children • What is a Poison? • Why do we worry about Chemicals • The EU Commission Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy known as REACH • 2003 • COSHH in Laboratories • Individual Legal Responsibilities for Health • 2002 • Green Chemistry • Fire Safety in Chemical Laboratories • Health and Safety Legislation and Practical Chemistry Teaching in Schools

  9. Proposal • Gain COCI views (today) • Propose to CCE for partnership (April/May) • Elicit help from IUPAC Divisions/NAOs (June) • Provide a proposal to IUPAC Projects Committee

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