Lauren Chin
February 20, 2012
Sustainability Debates
Word Count: 1776
Debate 3: Has the Industrial Chemical Revolution been good for society?
It is hard to imagine the world without the plastic wrap on the meat in the grocery store, and food
containers, things we see almost every day. When we go to the doctor there are plastic syringes,
examination gloves, and stethoscopes. The Industrial Chemical Revolution has brought about both good
and bad results. The production of plastics has allowed a more affordable life style for many due to the
increase in the cost of the production of many products. Even with a better lifestyle, there are many
problems with the global environment. Due to the nonchalance of industries, our resources such as food
and water have been contaminated with toxic chemicals. I believe that due to the carelessness and
greed of corporations, the reason so many resources are contaminated is because of the irresponsible
disposal by corporations. The Green Peace article “Do you live near a high risk chemical plant?” shows a
disturbing image of how many Americans are at risk of a poison gas disaster by living near one of the
hundreds of chemical facilities. The good news is that many companies are attempting to be more
environmentally and society conscious. Seeing as the chemical industry is so large, this is a sensitive
topic. I feel as though any problems with toxic chemicals should be addressed with stricter regulations
or give the industries incentives to dispose of their waste properly and have more regard for society.
There are many stakeholders affected by this issue, including the American Chemistry Council, the
American Petroleum Institute, The Plastics Industry Trade Association, The Vinyl Institute, the Natural
Resources Defense Council, Pesticide Action Network, most importantly (in my opinion) the consumers,
and many other associations. The problem with toxic chemicals is not a new issue. In 1984, thousands
were killed at a chemical plant disaster in India; as a counteract congress passed the Clean Air Act,
hoping for some change, but little progress was made. ("Green Peace ")
SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association represents the third largest manufacturing industry in the
United States; member companies account for the entire plastics industry supply chain. SPI promotes
the growth of plastics globally, and business developments. SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association
supports the idea that the industrial chemical revolution has been good for society. Plastics play a very
important role in everyday life. Take vinyl for instance, it has benefitted society by making life more
affordable, safer and more sustainable. Vinyl, also known as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a versatile plastic
that can be used in a variety of areas. The first benefit of vinyl is that it makes life more affordable.
Without vinyl, North American would have to shell out $20 million more on a material that would not
perform as well as vinyl does. Vinyl is economically beneficial to society because it is a very strong and
inexpensive material. It can be used to prevent water leakages as well as costly oil spills. Vinyl has also
been used in the production of automobiles, making them lighter, and promoting greater fuel efficiency.
The “light weighting” innovations allow car manufacturers to make a lighter car, saving money, but
without compromising passenger safety. ("Benefits of Plastic: Vinyl") Vinyl is also used in food
packaging; the packages help lengthen the shelf-life of food as well as preserve more nutrients and
prevent food-borne illnesses as opposed to other packaging. ("Benefits of Plastic: Vinyl") The second
benefit of vinyl products is safety. It has been certified by the United Stated Food and Drug
Administration, the National Fire Protection Association and many other safety standards, that it is a
non-toxic product. Despite the dramatic increase in vinyl production, workers involved in the production
have not been linked to the rare liver cancer caused by high exposure to vinyl chloride monomer. Vinyl is
also a recyclable material, having more than 1 billion pounds recycled annually. ("Benefits of Plastic:
Vinyl") The third benefit of using vinyl is that it makes life more sustainable. When the world is
concerned about harming the environment, whether or not a material is sustainable is an important
factor in its success. The production of vinyl requires a small amount of natural hydrocarbon resources
such as petroleum, because half of the polymer is derived from salt. ("Benefits of Plastic: Vinyl). As
mentioned before, vinyl is also recyclable, and can be reused in a variety of ways. If there is no other use
for the material, the PVC compound can also be safely incinerated or landfills, without causing excess
harm to the environment. Another crucial aspect to vinyl is its durability. More than 70% of PVC
products are used in long-term applications, for example, PVC window frames are able to last more than
30 years. Plastics have made such an impact on our life, making things more reasonable and health care
less expensive. The Plastics Industry Trade Association points out that plastic are in every aspect of our
lives from plastic syringes in hospitals, to polyvinylidene chloride that wraps our food, to the every
aspect in homes and transportations. Recently an “artificial heart” was approved by the FDA, consisting
of polyurethane diaphragms. ("Benefits of Plastic: Vinyl) Plastic has allowed us to grow and advance in
the world.
SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association provides a persuasive argument in support of the industrial
chemical revolution; however, I can’t help but feel skeptical, because I don’t doubt that they wouldn’t
support their industry. After watching Trade Secrets and learning that many of the workers who were
directly involved in the production and manufacturing of PVC compounds, were developing cancer, and
many ailments, and despite that the companies such as BF Goodrich knew, they kept quiet and lied. I
find it questionable when the SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association states that there have not
been any links to a rare form of liver cancer associated with vinyl chloride monomer. The plastics
industry has been unfaithful to the public before, and I wouldn’t doubt it happening again.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an environment action organization that works to
restore the integrity of the elements that sustain life, establish sustainability of the Earth and affirms the
integral place of human beings in the environment, they strive to protect nature, and foster the right of
the people to have a voice in decisions that affect the environment. ("Natural Resources Defense
Council") The NRDC does not agree that the industrial chemical revolution has benefitted society, but
rather, believes it has made it worse. Our environment has been poisoned by various toxic chemicals,
including mercury, lead, and many manmade chemicals, that have been linked to birth defects, cancer,
and brain impairments. According to the NRDC, everything has been contaminated. Our food contains
mercury, pesticides (due to the large amounts used in agricultural production), and antibiotics (often
found in livestock). The water has also been contaminated, and now many cannot afford clean drinking
water. Due to the deterioration of the water pipes, the water has become contaminated with pesticides,
hexavalent chromium, and rocket fuel. ("Natural Resources Defense Council") The global environment is
deteriorating due to chemicals in the home, and global pollution. Many harmful chemicals are found in
everyday things, such as food containers and baby bottles, to hand soap and toys. It is especially
important to reduce the use of toxic pesticides in such household items, because this mainly affects
children, leaving them vulnerable. This environmental deterioration accounts for the detrimental
climate change and health decline. Due to the waning air quality and rise in air pollution, there has been
a rise in asthma is children, and an increase in allergies. In the film Fuel with Josh Tickell, it was
disturbing to discover that since petro chemical companies have been growing, there has also been a
rise in fertility problems, Tickell’s mother suffering 9 miscarriages herself. Similar to the film Trade
Secrets where the many PVC plants have adopted the name “cancer alley”, where there was a visible
toxic haze. When the host of Trade Secrets, Bill Moyers had his blood tested, it was a horrifying surprise
to hear the number of unnatural chemicals were in his body, including traces of DDT, a now illegal
pesticide. The NRDC provides a compelling argument against the industrial chemical revolution. Due to
the carelessness in the use of chemicals in the 20th century, we are clearly now paying for the affects.
The NRDC provides a very persuasive argument against the industrial chemical revolution; however,
without all the chemicals, I doubt we would have progressed as far as we have now. Plastics have been
very beneficial to the public, allowing for more affordable items, and even allowing more affordable
health care due to plastic medical devices. I understand that many toxic chemicals have caused the
current generation to experience the repercussions; however, I don’t believe that we should completely
cut ourselves off. I think the answer ties into the previous week’s debate paper, that we need stricter
regulations, or at least a better way of dealing with irresponsible industries.
Bill Moyers’ Trade Secrets opened my eyes to the corruption in the industries, continuing with the
NRDC’s argument against the industrial chemical revolution. The area near all the plants was known as
“cancer alley”, a disturbing nickname to say the least. This documentary told the story of a few men who
had worked at plants that produced PVC, and many of them experienced side effects of long term
exposure. Dan Ross worked at a PVC plant beginning in 1967 and was diagnosed with a rare form of
brain cancer in 1989, dying at the age of 46. What horrified be the most was that his work file clearly
stated that his time at the plant “exceeded short term exposure” and was not sent to headquarters. The
companies new of the harmful effects of the polymerization of PVC, yet hid the facts, and allowed its
workers to experience the detrimental side effects, going so far as to fudge research done, using
patients that were not directly in contact with PVC, such as secretaries.
I found it effects of PVC on the workers disturbing; however, I believe it was the fault of the company,
not complying with safety regulations. Plastics have made a large impact on society, and without the
industrial chemical revolution, I feel like society would be back in the Stone Age. Plastic is now
unavoidable, it’s in the chair I’m sitting on, it holds the water I drink, while writing my essay; even more
so, I’m able to write my essay due to the plastic in my keyboard. Plastic has made so many things more
affordable and has benefitted society in many ways.
References
"Benefits of Plastic: Vinyl." SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association. N.p., 2009. Web. 20 Feb 2012.
<http://www.plasticsindustry.org/AboutPlastics/content.cfm?ItemNumber=646&navItemNumber=1118
>.
"About NRDC: Mission Statement." Natural Resources Defense Council. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb 2012.
<http://www.nrdc.org/about/mission.asp>.
"Do you live near a high risk chemical plant?" Green Peace. N.p., 01 Oct 2011. Web. 20 Feb 2012.
<http://usactions.greenpeace.org/chemicals/map/>.
Moyers, Bill, perf. Trade Secrets: A Moyers Report. PBS: Web. 20 Feb 2012.
<http://www.pbs.org/tradesecrets/>.