[TheDailyRecord] For decades engineers have used petroleum to make everyday products. It's still commonly used in everything from rubbers and plastics to chemicals and asphalt.
But this useful product comes from crude oil, which is often criticized by activists and experts as harmful to the environment, citing oil spills and fracking incidents.
Recent studies from the last decade have shown that petroleum isn't as efficient as some once thought. Now, companies, engineers and scientists aim to replace it with plant-based oils, specifically soybeans.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. recently announced its goal to replace all petroleum-based products with soybean oil by 2040.
While this is certainly a better use of soybeans than eating them, I do worry that safety challenges will be swept under the green / sustainability rug. |