The chemicals that are most commonly used in the UK are consumer-use chemicals.
These include things like household cleaning agents, cosmetics, hygiene products, and medicines.
There are also some common chemicals used on an industrial scale, such as hydrochloric acid.
Continue reading to find out more about some of the most commonly-used chemicals in the UK.
In this post:
Commonly-Used Chemicals in the UK
In a broad sense, a chemical can refer to any synthetic or natural substance, which can either be organic or inorganic. A chemical can be an element, a compound, a complex, or a mixture. They can react with other substances and affect the function of living organisms.
Chemicals each have unique properties, but some also have similar ones, making it possible to classify them into categories.
To put together a comprehensive and detailed list of the top 10 chemicals, we must first consider the different categories of chemicals and what measures we’ll use.
For purposes of this article, we’re focusing on the mass and the ubiquitousness of chemicals in different industries or sectors, including households.
Key Takeaways
Broadly speaking, chemicals are any matter composed of atoms
Chemicals have consistent and distinct properties
There are common chemicals used across industries and sectors
Some chemicals are mainly used as cleaning agents
Chemicals serve various purposes, such as laboratory reagents, solvents, formulation ingredients, and precursors
The Top 10 Chemicals
These are the top ten chemicals commonly used in the UK.
The first five can be categorised as industrial use, while the last five are household use chemicals. We haven’t included pure water here, although it is common in both categories.
1. Sulphuric acid
Sulphuric acid is almost ubiquitous in industry. It’s mainly used as a reagent in various chemical processes, and is important in the synthesis of medicines and other pharmaceutical products.
It’s also a precursor in manufacturing fertilisers and plastics, and is essential in the manufacture of explosives, glue, and dyes.
2. Sodium hydroxide
Bath soaps, detergents, shampoos, and bodywash are among the most in-demand products that are present in most homes, hotels, or businesses.
All of these products can be manufactured using sodium hydroxide as the main reactant. This chemical hydrolyses a fat or oil ingredient to form a soapy substance.
3. Nitrogen
In nature, the nitrogen in the atmosphere is essential in the formation of ammonia and nitrates. It occurs with the help of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and the soil and with lightning in the atmosphere.
Industrially, nitrogen is essential in the production of ammonia using a process called the Haber–Bosch process. Ammonia is then used in the chemical manufacturing of fertilisers, explosives, and dyes.
Many biological and medical laboratories also use liquid nitrogen in experiments and specimen preservation.
4. Propylene
Otherwise known as methyl ethylene, propylene is produced naturally and through fermentation.
It’s a hydrocarbon gas used in the manufacture of various plastic and rubber materials.
5. Ethylene
Ethylene is a double-bonded hydrocarbon used in metal welding and manufacture of polymer materials.
6. Sodium bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate is present in almost every home in the UK – it’s otherwise known as baking soda.
This chemical is also present in commercial buildings and offices, as it’s kept as pressurised powder inside fire extinguishers.
7. Sodium fluoride
Sodium fluoride is the main additive in toothpaste. It’s essential in keeping tooth enamel hard and preventing decay.
8. Sodium hypochlorite
Sodium hypochlorite is otherwise known as laundry bleach, and is a common household cleaning agent.
9. Ethanol
Ethanol is the only drinkable alcohol (but just in moderate amounts). It is present in alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine.
10. Sucrose
Otherwise known as table sugar, sucrose is almost an ubiquitous part of every household kitchen.
Conclusion
The UK is an industrialised country, which means the market demand for chemicals, either as raw materials or as finished products, is high. The common chemicals we use in the UK are also typically used in other industrialised countries.
