The processes of science seem to intrude ever more frequently into people's daily lives. The truth is, most of the time science is a power for good. Scientists get on, quietly and gradually, with the job of improving our quality of life and standard of living. So quietly, in fact, that people sometimes fail to notice, and take the benefits for granted. Every now and again, however, a serious mistake is made, people focus only on the risks and public confidence in science and scientists takes a tumble.
Chemistry is at the heart of scientific progress.
So it's not surprising that chemical products have come under increasing scrutiny. The public are more alert than ever to risks, especially if they are not familiar or under their personal control. They are also more inclined to make their concerns known, in letters to the editor, in answers to opinion pollsters and in their behaviour and buying habits in the shops. The effects include demands for greater transparency in the regulatory process and tighter controls on the use of chemical products. In extreme cases there is pressure to have substances banned altogether.