Chemistry has an enormous impact on daily life, as it is essential for various aspects of modern life. Here are some ways in which chemistry affects daily life.
a. Food and nutrition
Chemistry has a significant impact on food and nutrition by improving food quality, safety, and preservation (e.g. Treatment of water at Kpong and Weija; Standardisation of products at Ghana Standards Authority).
It helps us understand the composition of different foods, develops various food processing techniques, and uses chemicals as food additives to improve taste and prevent spoilage. It also provides tools and techniques for analysing food components, contaminants, and nutrients, contributing to research aimed at improving health and disease prevention.
b. Agriculture
Chemistry is crucial in agriculture to maximise crop yield and quality while minimising costs and environmental impact. It impacts agriculture through the development of animal feed (for example, Koudijs Gh Ltd.), fertilisers (for example, Glofert fertiliser company in Tema, Ghana), chemical pesticides to control pests, understanding soil chemistry, genetic modifications (Ghana Atomic Energy Commission), and water management with chemicals. Chemistry has revolutionised agriculture, providing valuable insights, technologies, and solutions to enhance crop yields, control pests and diseases and improve soil and water quality.
c. Medicine
Chemistry has a significant impact on medicine as it contributes to the development of drugs (for example, Tobinco Pharmaceutical Ltd and Ernest Chemist.) and medical devices (for example, Intravenous Infusions PLC, Koforidua, Ghana), their production, and analysis. Chemistry plays a role in discovering new compounds and synthesising them to optimise their therapeutic use.
d. Transportation
Chemistry greatly affects transportation in various ways, which include fuel production (for example, Tema Oil Refinery, TOR, Ghana), vehicle material designs, lubricants and additives (for example, Ghana Oil, Goil), emissions control, and battery technologies. These chemical advancements enhance fuel efficiency, decrease emissions, and improve the transition to eco-friendly transportation methods.
e. Energy
Chemistry affects energy through its involvement in the production of traditional and renewable energy, energy storage solutions, the development of energy-efficient technologies, and technologies that reduce emissions from energy production. Through chemical principles, researchers can identify solutions that promote more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy production and consumption. Chemistry plays a crucial role in the production of traditional energy sources such as coal, oil (TOR), and natural gas through processes such as extraction, refining and combustion. Chemistry is also involved in the production of renewable energy sources such as solar panels (for example, Global Engineering and Drilling Ghana Ltd., East Legon) and wind turbines through the development of new materials and processes. Battery technology relies on electrochemistry.
Use the link below to observe the impacts of chemistry in daily life.