|
Chlorine is used as an intermediate in the production of many other polymers. These include:
-
Polyurethanes, used for foams and in applications such as soles of shoes its
hard wearing properties are important.
-
Polycarbonates, used where strength is important.
-
PTFE, used for its non-stick properties and temperature resistance.
-
Polyvinylidene chloride resins, used for their barrier coating properties.
-
Titanium dioxide, the non-toxic white pigment used in plastic paints and high
quality paper is most commonly made by a manufacturing process involving
chlorine.
Chlorinated solvents are used as an extraction medium in
pharmaceutical processes, in printing, mining and plastics processing, in the
manufacture of adhesives and in paint & varnish remover
Chlorine compounds are essential ingredients in the production
of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, plant growth regulators and public
health products which control rodents, mosquitoes, flies and cockroaches.
Chlorine compounds have been used in pharmaceutical formulations
for many years and play a part in the eradication of infection and
disease. It is not only used in antiseptics, but in drugs such as
chloramphenicol. This is an antibiotic which is used to treat a
tremendous range of diseases - typhoid fever, meningitis, septicaemia,
pneumonia, whooping cough, peritonitis and many ear, nose and throat
infections.
|