Public Appreciation of Chemistry (PAC)

David EvansCOCI Annual MeetingMarl, 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)

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?

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

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

RSC “Notes” Initiative

“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 tosociety. It is up to the relevant stakeholders to strike the right

balancebetween the benefits of using a particular chemical and the

resourcesrequired to control it.People have many concerns about chemicals. The Royal Society

ofChemistry is an independent learned and professional body and

doesnot speak for the chemical industry ............”

Environment, Health and Safety Committee [EHSC] Note on :WHY DO WE WORRY ABOUT CHEMICALS

“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

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

....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

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