THE ADVENTURES OF
Meg A.Mole FUTURE CHEMIST Featured Chemist: Dr. Bill Carroll Occidental Chemical Corporation, Dallas, Texas In honor of the Chemists Celebrate Earth Day theme, “Recycling — Chemistry Can!” I traveled all the way to Texas to meet Dr. Bill Carroll. Dr. Carroll works for Occidental Chemical Corporation (OxyChem). So why did I choose Dr. Carroll? Texas definitely sounded great, but it was the first conversation I had with him that made me eager to visit. Dr. C: “Hi Meg! Did you ever imagine that trash could be interesting and entertaining?” Meg: Trash?! I had to find out what this chemist was up to!
The jobs of Dr. Carroll: Dr. Carroll ran a business recycling plastic bottles for five years. To create this product, he bought garbage from people. (I tried to sell him my leftover plastic baggie from lunch. He almost went for it.) He separated out the recyclable plastic, cleaned it, and manufactured new bottles from the recycled plastic. It took him and other scientists about three years to develop the technology, and working with garbage was a little icky, but it worked. Dr. Carroll was very proud to see bottles on the store shelves made out of his company’s recycled plastic.
When he’s not recycling, Dr. Carroll’s company makes chlorine, which also keeps him very busy. Chlorine is used to make water safe to drink. It also is used to make vinyl, a plastic used for pipes, siding and windows that help make houses affordable and energy efficient. Dr. Carroll also works with country officials in the United States and abroad on environmental laws. His work relates to making newer and safer chemicals. As the pastPresident of the American Chemical Society, (ACS) he also visits lots of schools to talk to students about why chemistry is important.
Dr. Carroll showed me how color changes mean a reaction happened. That’s what got him hooked on chemistry.
How he got there: So, was Dr. Carroll always interested in science growing up? Absolutely! He loved to participate in science fairs. He also had favorite experiments he liked to do, including one where he would use a fizzy chemical reaction to pop a cork out of the top of a bottle. Dr. Carroll was always conscious of wearing his safety goggles and gloves to protect him when doing his experiments. He also did some other experiments at home with his brother’s chemistry set and storebought chemicals. Dr. Carroll’s mother was a doctor and she encouraged him to do biology and medical-type science projects. Why did he choose chemistry? His high school chemistry teacher was young, cool and enthusiastic and made chemistry so interesting he decided to major in it in college.
American Chemical Society © 2007 Office of Community Activities 1155 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036 email
[email protected] or call 800-227-5558, ext. 6097 chemistry.org/kids
Page 2 THE ADVENTURES OF
Meg A.Mole
FUTURE CHEMIST
Featured Chemist: Dr. Bill Carroll
Why he likes chemistry: He really enjoys working with experts from around the world on problems that matter to everyone. He says he meets the best chemists in the world and also some of the brightest students. He thinks the best thing about being a scientist is “mental exercise”. He says, “Science makes you think — it makes you imagine things that could make life better for everyone. Science is about discovery. It’s fun to see things that no one ever has seen before or to make things that no one ever has made”.
Final reminder: Next time you take a drink of clean, safe water, think of Dr. Carroll. Clean, safe water is something that is rare in many parts of the world, and it’s the hard work of chemists like him that make our lives better.
Dr. Carroll took me to work with him at OxyChem. He doesn’t work in the lab every day any more and often wears a suit, but he says he’d rather wear his lab coat.
Personal Profile: Dr. Bill Carroll
What is your favorite pastime? Golf!
What is your favorite food? A good chicken sandwich with everything including jalapenos.
Can you tell me a little bit about your family? My wife Mary is a financial analyst; daughter Allison is 25 and works in DC; son Will is 20 at Boston College; son Quin is 11 in the sixth grade.
What is your favorite color? ACS colors, of course — blue and yellow! When is your birthday? January 25 in the Gregorian calendar, but I was born when they were still using the Julian calendar!
What were your favorite subjects in school? Chemistry (of course), math, history, speech, and drama. What is an accomplishment you are proud of? Nothing beats my time as ACS President!
American Chemical Society © 2007 Office of Community Activities 1155 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036 email
[email protected] or call 800-227-5558, ext. 6097 chemistry.org/kids
