Petrochemicals play a crucial role in medicine, including the manufacture of pills, capsules, and disposable syringes.
Here are some key points:
Nosocomial Infections Prevention:
>Petrochemicals greatly reduce the risk of nosocomial infections (infections acquired in hospitals).
>Doctors and nurses use petroleum-based detergents for handwashing.
>Hand sanitizers contain petrochemicals like carbomer polymers and glycerin.
>Disposable gloves (latex, vinyl, nitrile) and other medical supplies are made from petrochemicals.
Diagnostic Tests:
>Quick, reliable diagnostic tests rely on petroleum.
>Pre-packaged assays, urine specimen containers, and blood test Vacutainer tubes are often made of plastic.
>Polymers act as substrates for simple tests like urine test strips and pregnancy tests.
Medications:
>Aspirin, penicillin, and cancer-fighting drugs are made using petrochemicals.
>Most pharmaceutical drugs involve organic molecules derived from petrochemicals.
>Pill capsules and coatings are polymer-based, and time-release drugs use tartaric acid-based polymers.
In fact, up to-
99% of pharmaceutical feedstocks and reagents
-come from petrochemical sources
Without petrochemicals, mass-producing pharmaceuticals would be extremely challenging at best. #EnergyStrong
Without Texas oil and natural gas, we would not have access to thousands of essential products we use every day.
