Title: Chemistry, society and environment : a new history of the British chemical industry /
Authors: Russell, Colin Archibald; Russell, Colin A. 1928-; Royal Society of Chemistry (Great Britain)
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry,
Year: 2000
Subjects: Chemical industry Great Britain History.; Chemical industry Environmental aspects Great Britain.; Chemical Industry history
Abstract: "The current environmental crisis can only be fully understood in the light of its history. This is the first such book to look critically at the whole development of industrial chemistry in the UK in the context of its effects on the environment. No one from industry, government or academia can afford to be unaware of the historical roots of our present dilemma. Industrial chemists can take heart from the realization that their predecessors were remarkably aware of the problems and often found satisfactory solutions. Industrial chemistry has traditionally been seen as the great 'polluter'. Without any attempts at 'whitewash' this book puts the record straight." "From academic chemist to industrialist to politician, this book will be of relevance to all those concerned with the social and environmental impact of the chemical industry."--BOOK JACKET.
Contents: 1. Records of the British chemical industry -- 2. The shape of the British chemical industry -- 3. Origins of the British chemical industry -- 4. The alkali industry -- 5. The nitrogen industry -- 6. The British pharmaceutical industry -- 7. General and fine inorganic chemicals -- 8. The organic chemicals industry to the First World War -- 9. The age of polymers and petrochemicals (industrial organic chemistry from 1914) -- 10. Metal extraction and refining -- 11.Chemical industry and the quality of life -- Index of persons -- Subject index.