Chemicals: America’s First Line of Defense
They are the heroes among us: America’s soldiers abroad and our first-responders here at home. In a post-9-11 world, they protect our way of life, providing security and keeping our country strong.
And what protects the men and women who risk everything to protect us? Chemistry.
From lifesaving protective gear to revolutionary medical devices, the remarkable array of products that chemistry makes possible not only helps our heroes make the world a safer place – it is changing the nature of national security.
Thanks to advances in chemistry, soldiers today are far more likely to survive their injuries – In World War II, one in three servicemen died of battlefield wounds. Today, 98 percent of American casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan survive.
What makes this possible? One major factor is the use of sterile, lightweight and easily portable plastic medical equipment. These devices have allowed doctors to deliver vital medical treatment as wounded soldiers are transported from the battlefield to the hospital, saving precious minutes that mean the difference between life and death.
Add to this vinyl blood bags that help ensure a safe blood supply for the wounded, blood-clotting bandages that dramatically reduce blood loss in the field, and state-of-the-art prosthetics that help wounded veterans return to a normal life, and it’s easy to understand how essential chemistry is to those on the front lines of America’s defense.
Moreover, chemistry-based technologies help prevent many injuries before they happen. From improved body armor and shatterproof polycarbonate eyewear to advances in transportation, such as air bags and shatterproof windshields and nylon seatbelts, chemistry is essential to making troop transport safer and easier.
Our armed forces aren’t the only beneficiaries of the chemistry revolution. Consider some of the other ways these remarkable products are keeping America secure:
- Flame retardants used in firefighting apparel help prevent serious burns. Chemical-based fire retardants and fire protection systems also are used in building construction, making buildings safer and saving lives.
- Bullet-resistant vests made from advanced plastic fibers have saved the lives of thousands of police officers and security personnel. And first responders rely on other protective equipment, from crash helmets to safety goggles. None of which would be possible without the use of chemistry-based plastics.
- Biological warfare is a frightening prospect for anyone. Chemical researchers have discovered that a common pest control agent, methyl bromide, is both a more effective and less expensive means of eradicating anthrax from buildings.
- Chemical companies have launched a nationwide outreach program to assist at-risk communities with their emergency response systems. This includes working with municipal authorities to study transportation patterns, refine or create response plans and train first-responders. In addition, chemical manufacturers themselves are implementing an extensive security assessment under the industry’s Responsible Care® program to ensure that chemical facilities are protected against the threat of terrorism.
If you want to learn more about these lifesaving products and technologies, check out these resources:
