Positive impacts
Science and technology can bring benefits to people's lives. A benefit is a positive effect of a product or a process.
For example:
- catalytic converterA device which when fitted to a car exhaust can change harmful nitrogen monoxide and carbon monoxide into nitrogen and carbon dioxide. and gas scrubberRemoves pollutants from flue (chimney) gases. reduce emissionsSubstances that are given off, especially in the form of gas. of harmful air pollutantA toxic chemical or object that causes damage to the land, air or water.
- fuel cellDevice that produces a voltage continuously when supplied with a fuel and oxygen. power electric cars and reduce emissions of air pollutants where the car is being driven
- composite materialMaterial made from two or more different materials with contrasting properties. materials are designed to improve the propertiesThe characteristics of something. In chemistry, chemical properties include the reactions a substance can take part in. Physical properties include colour and boiling point. of material making the product better to use
- nanotechnologyThe use of nanoparticles in technology. creates nanoparticlesTiny particles which are between 1 and 100 nanometres (nm) in size. with uses ranging from clothing to medicine
- syntheticA material made by a chemical process, not naturally occurring.fertiliserA nutrient added to the soil to increase the soil fertility. increase crop yields
- water purification techniques produce potableWater that is safe to drink. water and therefore reduce illness from waterborne diseases
- catalystA substance that changes the rate of a chemical reaction without being changed by the reaction itself. allow industrial processes to be faster, sometimes at lower temperatures which reduces energy requirements
- crackingThe breaking down of large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more useful hydrocarbon molecules by vaporising them and passing them over a hot catalyst. makes better use of crude oilMixture of hydrocarbons, mainly alkanes, formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient dead marine organisms. and so conserve oil reserves
Question
How has the use of low sulfur fuel benefited people?
Low sulfur fuel significantly reduced the emission of sulfur dioxide from cars. This has benefited people's health.
Risks
A riskThe likelihood that a hazard will actually cause harm or damage. is an estimate of the likelihood that an undesired outcome will happen. The size of a risk is estimated based on the chance of it happening in a large sampleA collection of data about part of a population. In order to draw conclusions the sample must be representative of the whole population., and over a specified length of time.
Advances in science and technology can bring risks. Scientists devise ways to reduce these risks.
For example:
The burning of fossil fuelNatural, finite fuel formed from the remains of living organisms, eg oil, coal and natural gas. increases the emission of air pollutants such as carbon dioxide. This gas is a greenhouse gasThe gases responsible for global warming - carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons).. Increased emissions of greenhouse gases brings a risk to human health and of climate changeThe long-term alteration of weather patterns..
Scientists have designed catalytic converters and gas scrubbers to help mitigate (reduce) these emissions.
Question
What is a risk of using nanoparticles?
Nanoparticles are so small that they are easily breathed in or can enter the body through broken skin. There is a risk that this could cause health problems.