Need for Monitoring and Control of Chemicals – JSS1 Business Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Chemicals are distinct compounds or substances prepared or purified artificially through chemical reactions, such as baking soda, medicine and juice flavours. Their manufacture and use can harm human beings and livestock, so laws exist to monitor and control them and to protect people and the environment from chemical effluents and wastes.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• explain what chemicals are and give examples;
• list the grades of chemicals and state the use of each;
• state why the manufacture and use of chemicals must be monitored and controlled;
• explain what the law means by waste and state the penalty for dealing in harmful waste.

What are chemicals?

Chemicals are distinct compounds or substances that are prepared or purified artificially using different chemical reactions. Examples are baking soda, flavours of juice, medicine and food.

What are the grades of chemicals?

• Reagent A.C.S.: used in a laboratory.
• O.R.: used for chemical research.
• F.C.C.: used for the requirements of food.
• D.C.P.: used in general applications.
• Technical grade: used in general industry.
• APEs: found in detergents, disinfectants, cleaners and laundry cleaners.

Why must chemicals be monitored and controlled?

The manufacture and use of chemicals are potentially harmful to human beings and livestock.

There are laws to protect human beings and the environment from chemical effluents and wastes. In law, waste refers to different categories, which include industrial, solid, liquid and gaseous wastes containing substances that are harmful to human, animal and plant life.

Waste can also mean any injurious substance, poison or toxin.

What is the penalty for dealing in harmful waste?

Any person found guilty of purchasing, selling, importing, transporting, depositing or storing harmful waste can be convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in Nigeria.

Evaluation

1. Define chemicals and give two examples.
2. State the use of F.C.C. and technical grade chemicals.
3. Name three kinds of waste that the law says can be harmful.
4. State the penalty in Nigeria for storing or transporting harmful waste.

Assignment

1. What are chemicals?
2. Name five areas in your life where chemicals are used.
3. Why are some chemicals harmful?