Chemical substances Current Affairs, GK & News

Amit Shah launches Winter-Grade Diesel for Ladakh

On 18 Nov, Union Home Minister Amit Shah through video-conferencing inaugurated First Winter-Grade Diesel outlet for Ladakh .  The winter-grade diesel has been developed by the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to address the problem of loss of fuel during extreme winter conditions.   The move will help to address the problem faced by people due ..

Topics: Chemical substances • Diesel engines • Diesel fuel • Fuels • Geography of Jammu and Kashmir • Hydroelectric power in Himachal Pradesh • Indian companies established • Indian Oil Corporation • Ladakh • Liquids

Germany to phase out controversial weedkiller glyphosate by 2023

Germany has decided to phase out the controversial weedkiller glyphosate by the end of 2023 to protect insect populations that play a pivotal role in ecosystems and pollination of food crops. The chemical is also suspected to cause cancer in humans. The ban is a major blow to German agrochemical manufacturer Bayer CropScience. Glyphosate is ..

Topics: Amines • Bayer • Chemical substances • Chemistry • Glyphosate • Herbicide • Herbicides • Monsanto • Roundup

Centre increases Ethanol Prices

The Indian Government has directed the oil marketing companies (OMCs) to increase the procurement of ethanol and has also increased the price for buying the ethanol from the farmers. This move holds significance as the state elections in Maharastra, Haryana, and Jharkhand. What has happened? The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a ..

Topics: Alcohols • Biofuel • Biofuels by region • Chemical substances • Current Affairs – August, 2013 • Energy • Ethanol • Ethanol fuel • Ethanol fuel in Brazil • Sugarcane

IIT Madras converts petroleum waste toluene into useful product

Using platinum nanocatalyst, a two-member team at the IIT Madras has successfully converted petroleum waste-product toluene into benzoic acid. Benzoic acid is used as a food preservative (E210) and medicine for fungal/bacterial infection. Toluene is converted into benzoic acid through selective and controlled oxidation in the presence of a catalyst — binaphthyl-stabilised platinum nanoparticles (Pt-BNP). ..

Topics: Benzoic acid • Chemical substances • Chemistry • Excipients • GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators • Hazardous air pollutants • Occupational safety and health • Petrochemicals • Physical sciences • Tert-Butyl hydroperoxide • Toluene • Toluene toxicity

EU lawmakers: Support the wide ban on plastic products

The European Parliament backed the ban on plastics. The disposable utensils would be completely off till there are found replacements that are made of sustainable materials. The resolutions demand the need of recycling 90% of plastic bottles 2025. It has estimate a cost of 259 million euros to implement the changes. The EU said that ..

Topics: Chemical substances • Energy conversion • Materials • Plastics • polyethylene terephthalate • Recycling • Water conservation

Houston disaster contaminates the ship channel

The oil by products, toxic gasoiline of the Houston petrochemical accident have been washed into the sea.This has affected the ship channels in the bay. The fire that burnt for 3 days in the Houston petrochemical accident has already caused enough damages to the surrounding. At the 6th day of the incident it is emitting ..

Topics: Benzene • BP • Carcinogens • Chemical compounds • Chemical substances • Chemistry • Mutagens • Occupational safety and health • Petrochemicals