TECHNOLOGY. which it is to b e used—that is, as a finely divided solid polymer dispersed in water. T h e product is nonflammable a n d a high solids content can be obtained at low viscosities- Furthermore, t h e highest molecular weight polymers are produced with great strength, toughness, a n d resilience. The emulsion polymerization method is also t h e most complex, requiring a careful balance of ingredients for optimum results. Typical ingredients include monomers, water, emulsifiers, water-soluble initiators, accelerators, protective colloids, chain transfer agents, a n d such additional materials as sequestering agents, salts, solvents, and plasticizers. T h e proper selection of these ingredients requires an extensive background in polymer chemistry as well as a thorough appreciation of the industry being served.
Publication Research. M u c h has been said in recent years about the need for increased research on n e w and improved products. Very little, however, xias L>cen sai*u auout t u e urgent need for research on improved methods of communicating the results of science to the readers of technical publications, says Walter J. Murphy, editor of CHEMICAL
AND E N G I N E E R I N G
NEWS,
who was the featured b a n q u e t speaker. With the ever-mounting volume of technical literature, new a n d more efficient methods of transmitting scientific findings must b e developed. Present techniques of publication should be carefully reevaluated, not only by the editors of technical journals but also by the contributors of scientific articles and by their readers, says Murphy.
Public Health a n d Air Pollution Federal funds now a n tap let U . S. Public Health Service study how air pollutants affect human health D E T R O I T - F o r the first time, federal funds are available for air pollution research. During the present fiscal year, the U. S. Public Health Service has been authorized to perform studies on the effects of contaminants on h u m a n health. T h e Division of Special H e a l t h Services is engaged in research on the epidimiology, physiology, toxicology, a n d psychology of air pollution. Working with the health services, t h e Division of Sanitary Engineering Services has been directed to perform studies on the physical a n d chemical measurement, identification, and tracing of pollutants. Additionally, this division will investigate the chemical interaction of air pollutants a n d develop methods for controlling or preventing the introduction of contaminants into the atmosphere. The agency also will provide technical guidance and consultation to state and municipal groups in establishing and operating control programs. This governmental role w a s outlined by A. C. Stern, chief of the Air Pollution Control Program of USPHS, at t h e Air Pollution Control Association's 48th annual meeting in the Motor Capital. A registration of almost 8 0 0 experts, representing industry, trade associations, educational institutions, and local, state, and federal groups reported on smoke abatement, air pollution measurements, odor control, and n e w developments in equipment. Organic Pollutants. 2496
ter is so large a proportion of atmospheric pollution that it may not b e ignored, especially in view of t h e known capability of some of these substances to induce pathology in animals and man through prolonged contact. Reporting o n the characteristics and distribution of organic substances in the air of over 3 0 American, Alaskan, and
one English city, L. A. Chambers, also of USPHS, says t h a t the average acetone-soluble fraction of organic particulate matter for the various cities ranches between 10 and 3 0 % . Samples were taken at least once a week, consisting of the total particulate matter removed from about 2000 square meters of air during a 24 hour period. Damage t o V e g e t a t i o n . T h e toxicity of sulfur dioxide, hydrogen fluoride, or other volatile fluorine compounds, and "smog gases" of t h e type found in the Los Angeles area, varies considerably, according to M. Katz of Defense Research Chemical Laboratories in O t t a w a . Sulfur dioxide is readily absorbed by plants but is not a systemic poison. T h e gas is oxidized to sulfate in t h e plant at a b o u t t h e same rate as it is absorbed. Sulfate accumulation is not injurious to leaves until it exceeds t h e threshold value. Gaseous fluorine compounds are more toxic to many species of vegetation than equivalent concentrations of sulfur dioxide. T h e greatest accumulation usually occurs at the tips or margins of the leaves. T h e injurious effects of these air pollutions cause plasmolysis of the affected tissue, a n d inhibition of photosynthesis or degradation of chlorophyll. Radiological W a s t e s . Since radioactivity cannot b e destroyed b y any process except the natural decay of the various species, t h e problem of waste disposal is overshadowed b y the
The 100 cu. ft. of waste per day incinerator, designed and built at Argonne, is the first full-scale unit to be installed as a production unit for the combustion of radioactive wastes
Organic matCHEMICAL
AND
ENGINEERING
NEWS
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U.S.I. CHEMICAL NEWS May-June
Ά"
A Series for Chemists and Executives of the Solvents and Chemical Consuming Industries
*
1955
U.S.I. ISOSEBACIC* ACID OFFERED FOR EVALUATION U.S.I. Assumes New Responsibility National Distillers Products Corpora tion recently announced that all chem ical operations of the company will be conducted by the U. S. Industrial Chem icals Co. Division. Previously U. S. In dustrial Chemicals Co. was part of the Chemical Division of National Distillers. The two have now been consolidated under the U.S.I, name. The organization and name of National Petro-Chemicals C o r p o r a t i o n , 6'0% owned subsidiary, w i l l remain un changed. "Petro" will continue to be managed by National Distillers, now through U.S.I.
Warts Successfully Treated with Oral Methionine Recent work in the United States has con firmed the fact that methionine can be used to treat warts. The American work confirms previous findings to the same effect made in France. Patients with warts were given methio nine orally at the rate of 1 to 2 grams per day. The warts usually disappeared within ten days after treatment began. This effect of methionine was discovered accidentally when a patient with warts was given methio nine for hepatitis. During the course of treat ment, the warts disappeared.
Anhydrous Ammonia Reported Useful as a Fungicide Recently completed research indicates that in addition to its primary use as a fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia also acts as a fungicidal agent in the soil. The researchers found that only 0.6% of the nematodes and 4.9% of the fungi survived when 608 ppm of nitrogen were present in the soil. This level of ammonical nitrogen is reported to occur regularly in the retention zone when anhydrous ammonia is applied to fields. Although, the numbers of nematodes and fungi were reduced by levels of ammonical nitrogen as low as 136 ppm, the largest re duction in both nematodes and fungi occurred when levels were above 365 ppm.
New Synthetic Chemical N o w Available i n Pilot P l a n t Quantities U.S.I. Isosebacic acid, a new synthetic organic chemical, is now being pro duced in pilot plant quantities for evaluation b y research and development groups throughout the chemical industry. This new product is a mixture of L >mers of sebacic acid in the proportions indicated below and promises to be of great interest t o users of dibasic acids in general. The product of more than three years of intensive research in laboratory and pilot plant, U.S.I. Isosebacic acid is produced by a novel synthetic process, starting from metallic sodium and butadiene. Both of these raw materials are
TSew Polyethylene
Booklet
U.S.I, has just issued a booklet on PETROTHENE polyethylene resins as raw materials for the plastics processor. PETROTHENE is offered in pellet form in both high quality and general purpose resin types. The booklet describes the product, its properties, produc tion, uses, methods of processing (extrusion, injection and compression molding) and fab ricating. U.S.I, services to the plastics processor are outlined. Copies on request.
readily available in large quantities and have a long history of price stability. Although U.S.I. Isosebacic acid is currently priced at 45 cents per pound for development quan tities, it is expected that large scale produc tion in a commercial plant will make substantial price reductions possible in the future. M a n y promising uses One of the most promising uses for U.S.I. Isosebacic acid, is the manufacture of high quality plasticizers for vinyl resins, particu larly where low temperature flexibility is re quired. U.S.I- Isosebacic acid esters of isooctyl alcohol or 2-ethylhexanol have been found to have superior properties in this MORE
U . S . I. ISOSEBACIC* Acid a m i x t u r e of C 1 C Dicarboxyiic Acids ^ f e ^ h y l | s u ^ r i < c acid.
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U.S.I. CHEMICAL NEWS
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U.S.I. Isosebacic Metallic Sodium Acid Purifies Petroleum
respect. These same esters also show great promise as base materials for the synthetic lubricating oils now required by jet aircraft engines. Especially important for such a national defense application is the fact that U.S.T. Isosebacic acid will be produced entirely from domestic r a w materials which are in ample supply. F o r p o l y m e r i c plasticizers Polymeric plasticizers, made from glycols and long chain dibasic acids, are another promising application for U.S.I. Isosebacic acid. Because of their superior low volatility and non-migration properties, polymeric plasticizers have become increasingly popular with vinyl resin converters and compounders in recent years. The availability of U.S.I. Isosebacic acid will make possible development of new and cheaper polymeric plasticizers. S e e n useful f o r polyesters U.S.I. Isosebacic acid will also be of interest to producers of polyesters for coupling with diisocyanates in the production of polyurethane foams, elastomers- adhesives and surface coatings. Other polyesters, made from U.S.I. Isosebacic acid and glycols also show promise as raw materials in the production of resins for reinforced plastics. There are many other applications where U.S.I. Isosebacic acid may be used. Samples are available for evaluation on laboratory or pilot plant scale. For samples, data sheets and technical assistance, "write to the Editor, U.S.I. Chemical News.
Urethan a Synergist I n Retarding Cancer Recent experimental evidence indicates that urethan combined with nitrogen mustard compounds or triethylene melamine may inhibit cancerous growths which do not respond to these materials used alone. Such findings have been observed in animals with experimental tumors, a n d there are indications that there may be regressions of some human tumors from such action. I t is emphasized, however, that the remissions so induced are of a temporary nature. Additional studies are being conducted further t o evaluate this treatment and its side reactions.
1955
TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS
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