Frequently asked Questions Aromatics in general 1. What is an aromatic? The term aromatic derives from the Latin word “aroma”, meaning fragrance. Until the 19th century, substances were described as aromatics that were principally obtainable from resins or plants and that gave off a pleasant smell. More accurate scientific tests showed many of these substances to be benzene derivatives. Aromatics are hydrocarbons, organic compounds that consist exclusively of the elements carbon and hydrogen – without which life would not be possible on Earth. Aromatics occur naturally in fossil raw materials such as crude oil and coal, and are produced using feedstocks from steam crackers and refineries. The main aromatics are benzene, toluene and the xylenes; they are used as starting materials for a wide range of consumer products. Many items taken for granted in our everyday lives rely on products made by the aromatics industry, with benefits like durability, safety, comfort and lightweight design. The items we mean range from the aspirin to the CD – so if you want to know more about the end-uses of aromatics, just check out the section From aromatics to consumer products. 2. What is the industry doing to reduce the health and environmental impact of aromatics? What are the legal standards the industry has to meet? The chemical industry as a whole is very strictly regulated. Aromatics producers, in particular, have to comply with a wide body of legislation, both national and European. Governments and the EU have strict regulations on consumer and environmental protection, occupational health, chemical processes and transport and the management of chemical substances. As well as abiding by existing legislation, aromatics producers, and indeed the whole of the chemical industry, are committed to improving its management of chemicals and chemical processes through the worldwide Responsible Care programme, the world-wide chemical industry's commitment to continuous improvement in all aspects of health, safety and environment performance including openness in communication about its activities and achievements. Product Stewardship is part of this initiative, and allows to monitor and then manage products’ impact on health and environment from the moment it leaves the producer’s door to the time it is delivered, with strict and detailed instructions of safe use, to the customer. We all want chemicals to be as harmless as possible to the environment and our own health. For this reason, the chemical industry has long sought to ensure that its products are safe. Like the rest of society, we want to be satisfied that chemicals, properly used, are as risk-free as possible. If you want to know more about the efforts of the industry to improve its management of chemicals and chemical processes, click here. You might also want to learn about the international "Long-range Research Initiative", which funds independent research into the interaction between chemicals, human health and the environment. 3. Why are aromatics not replaced with other, no-risk products? Replacing aromatics (benzene, toluene, xylenes) today would not be wise, because there are no substitutes known to date and benzene is still essential for the synthesis of the various products derived from it. Furthermore, aromatics are natural products, and their proprieties and associated risks are known, and have been – and still are – extensively studied. Before proposing the adoption of possible substitutions, one should remember that new products have not been as extensively studied and tested as those that have been used for decades – or centuries. Very few human activities are entirely devoid of hazard; it is by taking common-sense precautions that we minimise the risk they involve – e.g. by looking left and right before crossing the street. Similarly, common sense tells us that zero-risk products, whether natural or man-made, do not exist. Even common, over-the-counter pain-killers, for example, have to be taken following strict precautions, such as not exceeding a certain dose, or not ingesting them on an empty stomach. This is what "managing the risks" means. Complying with the control measures protecting consumers and workers, detailed in other parts of this FAQ, allows avoiding any undue risks to employees or the general public. Back to Home Page	:: F.A.Q. Aromatics in general Benzene Toluene Xylenes