A sensory tour of a chemical plant

0917CW - Organic Matter - Drug manufacture. Pharmaceutical technician in clean room

Source: © Science Photo Library

The sights, sounds and smells of chemical creation

If you visit my company’s plant, I would be happy to give you a tour. While chemistry is a visual science, the joy of the plant is that it is so different to looking at your stirring reaction through a pair of safety glasses and a fumehood sash. The plant is big enough to be all-encompassing, a feast for all the senses, not just your eyes or nose. So, grab your safety glasses, here’s your hard hat (I got you one of the broad-brimmed ones, they’re very comfortable) and follow me through the big door. Please don’t touch anything, and don’t wander too far away from me.