There are no evil molecules. Education and dissemination for a mitigation of "bad" Chemistry

"There are no bad molecules, only evil human beings" is a famous sentence by Roald Hoffmann (1), Nobel laureate in Chemistry, who is devoting a large part of his recent efforts to the investigation of the relationships between Chemistry and ethical choices of scientists. This expression has been the leitmotiv of a series of initiatives carried out in Italy, in Europe and in Asia (2) aiming at enhancing broad public's awareness on the potential risks and threats linked to the dual use (for either malicious or peaceful purposes) of chemical know-how and compounds. Hazardous industrial chemicals, explosives, chemical weapons and polluting industrial materials are well known examples generating fear and increasing the general sensation of vulnerability in non-expert population. Technogenic incidents, either deliberate (terrorist attacks) or unintentional (industrial accidents), are indeed felt as a major source of concern by the public opinion. However, a poor risk assessment when facing emergency situations and/or incidents with hazardous chemicals can induce a sense of impotence and inability in tackling the non-conventional event in expert professionals too, if they are not properly trained and skilled. In this scenario, only a better knowledge can minimise fear and only adequate awareness-raising actions addressed to wide audiences can enhance people's preparedness and resilience against chemical disasters and threats. Education, dissemination and training activities organised in schools, universities, governmental agencies and professional bodies are a powerful tool to discredit wrong common places, rectify false myths and, in general, to help people to be more familiar with "good" Chemistry and its concepts.