Earthquakes, rushing flood waters or other natural disasters can cause great destruction for any community. Most of us rely on first responders and health workers during these extreme emergencies; and they rely on various medical equipment and supplies to help save lives.
Every year on April 7, the World Health Organization sponsors World Health Day to highlight areas of concern related to health care around the globe. This year the organization is focusing on the resilience and safety of health facilities and workers who treat those affected by emergencies.
It doesn’t take a natural disaster to see how health care professionals help heal wounds and save lives. Emergency facilities and the staff who work at those facilities are critical life lines for vulnerable people in disasters – treating injuries, preventing illnesses and caring for health needs. LyondellBasell products play a role in the care of patients and the protection of health care workers every day.
The use of our products in innovative materials allows for the construction of robust health care facilities designed to withstand natural and other disasters. Our propylene oxide (PO) is a key raw material used to make polyols, an essential ingredient in spray polyurethane foam (SPF). The roofs of many buildings in Florida protected with SPF survived harsh storms unscathed or with minor surface damage.
Doctors, nurses and other medical practitioners who care for those injured during an emergency depend on our high-quality products. In fact, modern health care and first aid would not be possible without the business of chemistry. Synthetic latex gloves, sutures, surgical dressings, bandages, splints, syringes, vials, therapy whirlpools and many other medical tools and applications are made possible through some of the chemicals and polymers produced by LyondellBasell.
LyondellBasell’s materials are used in numerous products that protect medical workers from infection, and ensure the safety of medicine. Our customers use ethylene oxide produced by LyondellBasell to make polyethylene glycol (PEG). Plastic molecules made with PEG are also part of the makeup of synthetic blood. Unlike human blood, this synthetic blood doesn’t require refrigeration and comes in a dehydrated paste. Just add water and it’s ready to use.
In addition, various medical supplies are protected against contamination by sterile polystyrene, based on the company’s styrene monomer. Intravenous solution bags produced with Purell low density polyethylene are safely disposed of after delivering vital medication.
So the next time you visit the doctor’s office for your checkup, remember the many ways in which LyondellBasell products help shield you from harm and keep you in good health.
Purell is a trademark owned or used by LyondellBasell group companies. Trademark Purell is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.