Like that famous comedian, chemical companies don't get much respect.

Despite the substantial sums of money the industry spends on research, safety, and environmental protection and the many benefits provided by chemicals and the products they go into, the sector continues to have a poor reputation with the public.

The decline in the industry's reputation has its roots in Rachel Carson's revelations about DDT and the controversy over Dow's Agent Orange during the war in Vietnam. The catastrophic accident at Union Carbide's Bhopal facility in 1984 lowered the reputation further and every subsequent plant explosion and employee death has made sure it stays low.

Upcoming Ethical Corporation conferences & events:
Social and Environmental Risk Assessment for Heavy Industries
Regent's Park Marriott Hotel, London, 22 – 23 March 2010 The Responsible Business Summit 2010
Novotel West Hotel, London, 4th – 5th May 2010 The Inaugural Ethical Corporation Awards
Novotel West Hotel, London, Evening of 4th May 2010
The Awards will be held at the Responsible Summit -
on the evening of the first day
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