Everything Is Natural: Exploring How Chemicals Are Natural, How Nature Is Chemical and Why That Should Excite Us

Advancements in toxicology have enabled scientists to detect traces of adulterant substances in everyday products, even at parts per billion concentrations. However, this has led to an overreaction and a fear of chemicals, exaggerated by marketers. This fear has led some people to seek nature in the form of expensive consumer products, which offer almost none of the benefits of spending time outdoors in real nature. This book explores the history of chemical fears and the recent events that amplified it, and explains how consumers, teachers, doctors, lawmakers, and journalists can help make better connections with the public by telling stories that are more engaging about chemistry and materials science.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 28 January 2021
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

Since the early 1990s, remarkable advancements in toxicology have enabled scientists to detect traces of adulterant substances in everyday products, even at parts per billion concentrations. This remarkable feat has allowed us to identify the presence of harmful ingredients at levels that are so low that they pose no risk to human health. However, despite these scientific breakthroughs, we often find ourselves frightened and overreacting to harmless sources of contamination. This inclination is driven, in part, by a set of psychological quirks known as the naturalness preference or biophilia. While exposure to many aspects of nature has been shown to improve our physical and mental well-being, marketers are capitalizing on our naturalness preference by selling us "organic" and "natural" products that offer no functional advantage, sometimes at the expense of the environment, and that perpetuate a fear of conventional products that do not make such natural connotations. This fear of chemicals, exaggerated by marketers, has led some individuals to seek nature in the form of expensive consumer products, believing that these products will provide the benefits of spending time outdoors in natural environments. However, this pursuit of nature in the wrong form leads to feelings of guilt, anxiety, and mental stress, as we are coaxed into paying a hefty premium price for natural products that are neither safer nor more effective than their conventional counterparts. Moreover, we often forget to appreciate the true beauty and benefits of real nature in the process.

This book aims to explore the history of chemical fears and the recent events that have amplified them. It provides insights into how consumers, teachers, doctors, lawmakers, and journalists can better connect with the public by telling engaging stories about chemistry and mathematics. By demystifying these subjects and highlighting their practical applications, we can help dispel misconceptions and promote a greater understanding of the importance of chemistry and mathematics in our daily lives.

In conclusion, while advances in toxicology have allowed us to detect traces of adulterant substances in everyday products, we must be cautious not to overreact to harmless sources of contamination. By promoting a greater understanding of chemistry and mathematics through engaging storytelling, we can help dispel misconceptions and foster a more positive relationship with these subjects. This will ultimately benefit our society as a whole by enabling us to make informed decisions and appreciate the true beauty of nature.

Weight: 288g
Dimension: 189 x 355 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839162404