WEB DESK: Oil the ever-present fossil resource, extends its influence far beyond transportation and heating, quietly contributing to many everyday items. Derived from oil and natural gas, petrochemicals find their way into over 6,000 common products, ranging from foods to beauty essentials.
Below are the 10 unexpected everyday items made from petroleum.
Chocolate
Certain chocolate coatings incorporate food-grade paraffin wax, sourced from petroleum, coal, or shale oil. When mixed with chocolate, it imparts a shiny finish upon solidification and aids in maintaining chocolate’s solidity at high temperatures, owing to its low melting threshold.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste might include oil-derived compounds such as polyethylene glycol, incorporated for various purposes like flavor enhancement, antibacterial effects, and texture modification.
Perfume
When applying perfume or cologne to your wrists, you’re likely adorning yourself with the remnants of ancient animals. Numerous fragrances opt for petroleum-based oils over natural essential oils.
Petroleum jelly
As its name suggests, petroleum jelly originates from natural gas and oil. Through a distillation process of crude oil, various components are separated, yielding a dense, waxy substance known as petrolatum.
Vanilla ice cream
Synthetic oils derived from petroleum frequently find application in food flavorings such as vanilla, almond, and lemon. Engineered to mimic precise flavors, these synthetic compounds ensure a uniform taste profile across different batches.
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Air fresheners
Air fresheners often contain petroleum-derived oils to create pleasant scents that can last longer and be more consistent than natural oils.
Shaving cream
Shaving cream contains oil, in the form of something called isopentane, which is derived from crude oil.
Laxatives
Polyethylene glycol, a petroleum-derived substance also present in toothpaste, serves as the key component in the production of laxatives.
Paint
Adding plastic polymers to paint makes them water-resistant and more durable — and plastic is made from oil.
Pills
To aid swallowing and prevent adhesion between pills, many are coated with plastic. Additionally, synthetic components preserve the potency of active ingredients, extending the product’s shelf life. While natural alternatives are available.
