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Sunday, August 25, 2002 Petrochemicals and how I use them By Nicollette
C. Moore
Today, our life is made easier because of petrochemicals — one example is fertilizer. Farmers use fertilizer on most crops and people who live in the city use it on their lawns, flowers, plants, etc. Insecticides are used by most people in getting rid of pests such as ants, wasps, spiders, etc. In most homes in the world, products like synthetic fibers, plastics, paints, ink, detergents and many more of these petrochemicals are used daily. Plastics are probably used more than any product made from petrochemicals; everything from toys, milk jugs, other food containers, appliances and even car parts, just to name a few. In our homes, synthetic fibers give us carpets, curtains and leather-like materials for furniture that are long-wearing. Petrochemicals are great BUT they must be used correctly. They should be used as directed by manufacturer only. Today, people are afraid that oil and gas will become scarce. Petrochemicals use a large amount of petroleum and gas to produce these wonderful products. Will they have to go back to coal? I hope not. Nicollete C. Moore won the Desk & Derrick of Abilene 2002 essay contest and attends Anson Elementary School.
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Petrochemicals
are chemicals made from petroleum or natural gas. Carbon black
was the first chemical created from petroleum. It was created
in the year 1872 and is used as a reinforcing material in tires.
By the 1920s, oil and gas were used instead of coal, because it
was cheaper to obtain. In the 1930s, explosives, synthetic rubber
and many other products used by our armed forces were made from
petrochemicals.|
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E.W. Scripps Publications