Commentaries in Chemistry

What do the following have in common: Birds and cigarette filters, tequila, and ExxonMobil? You’ll need to read Mark Jones’ piece called “Reason for Optimism” to find out. I can report that ‘motivated reasoning’ plays a role

Everywhere Mark looks, there is plastic. He is left pondering whether there are renewable alternatives to replace the synthetic material

A breakthrough COVID-19 case. Mark’s experience proves that risks exist even if you are fully vaccinated and careful

Mark Jones has little use for the word ‘toxic.’ He explains why, pointing in part to a recent decision by Canada, which now considers plastic articles to be toxic under Canada’s primary environmental law—the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). Mark struggles with toxic articles made from non-toxic materials

Dow's Mark Jones talks about the "three gratitudes" and how chemistry makes the novel coronavirus seem slightly less threatening

Mark Jones says lingering odors in plastic items raise questions about mechanical recycling

Mark Jones explains shortage is due to China’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gases

Mark Jones points out defining PFAS is a challenge

Mark Jones trades chemical exposure for reduced risk of arthropod-borne disease

Mark Jones searches for advice that can never be proven wrong, plus the universal truth illuminated by 'Tiffany's Rule'

Toxic is sometimes what you want

Mark Jones finds a correlation between meeting size and productivity

Dow’s Mark Jones retired from the Dow Chemical Company on March 31, and is back with three new reasons to be grateful for chemistry (the initial three reasons he addressed in a previous ACS Industry Matters comment

Mark Jones reflects on his most recent experiment

Mark Jones reports on an experiment using urine to fertilize his lawn

Mark Jones says living sustainably needn’t take a holiday during the holidays

Mark Jones profiles the mystery chemist, and his notable accomplishments

Mark Jones sees greater opportunity for circularity and sustainability

Mark Jones speaks to his yearly battle with woodpeckers and how chemistry is involved

Essential product development lessons for the chemical industry

Mark Jones focuses on the prominent and complicated role that Thomas Midgely, Jr. played in the development of leaded gasoline

Mark Jones claims society has decided the immediate safety benefits are worth the deferred environmental costs

Ensuring resources for future generations will remain a challenge