Styrofoam is Bad for

the Environment
What is Styrofoam?
 Styrofoam has become such an
accepted everyday product that
individuals rarely stop to understand
that it’s made up of polystyrene, a
petroleum-based plastic. In fact,
Styrofoam is a trade name for
expanded polystyrene (EPS), points
out a 2015 BBC report. It explains
that polystyrene beads are processed
using chemicals that are steamed and
expand, creating the substance EPS. It
is very popular because it is
lightweight; it's 95% air. It offers good
insulation properties that keep
products cold or hot, and keeps things
safe during the shipping process
without adding weight.
 Environmental
Concerns
 Environmental health concerns
start with the elements used to
make Styrofoam. Styrene, for
example, is the one of the main
ingredients used to make
polystyrene. Though the American
Chemistry Council notes there are
differences in polystyrene (solid)
and styrene (liquid), and while
there are differences in the final
result, styrene is still part of
polystyrene.
Styrofoam is a Possible Carcinogen

 The International Agency for

Research on Cancer had already
established styrene as a possible
human carcinogen in 2002. So
does a 2014 National
Toxicological Program report on
carcinogens which classifies
styrene as "reasonably anticipated
to be a human carcinogen" and
being linked to occurrence of
leukemia and lymphoma cancer.
Fabrication
Health Hazards
 Though the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) report
on styrene does not yet classify it
as carcinogenic, it lists many
occupational hazards for those
who are exposed regularly in the
manufacture of products made
with styrene. Some of the worst
health effects experienced
include irritation of the skin,
eyes, and the upper respiratory
tract and gastrointestinal effects.
Fabrication Health Hazards

 The EPA report says chronic exposure

to styrene leads to further
complications, including adverse
effects on the nervous and respiratory
systems, and possibly the kidney and
liver, as well as other issues. It also
caused increased spontaneous
abortions in women. Contact with
liquid styrene during the
manufacturing process can lead to
first degree burns according to
an NIH report.
Food Contamination

 Food in Styrofoam containers can be

contaminated by chemicals that leach
into the food, affecting human health
and the reproductive systems. This is
accentuated if people reheat the food
while still in the container. A research
study shows that styrene can leach out
from EPS. The American Chemistry
Council admits that there
is transmission of styrene from
Styrofoam to food. So people using
Styrofoam do get contaminated by
styrene, and can suffer from its health
impacts.
Polystyrene is Non-
Biodegradable
 Styrofoam appears to last
forever as it is resistant
to photolysis, or the breaking
down of materials by
photons originating from a
light source. Cleveland State
University states that it
requires more than a million
years to decompose.
Production

 According to Scientific American, in

2014 a total of 28,500 tons of
Styrofoam was produced and 90%
was used to make single-use cups,
trays, containers and packaging
products. Other major uses of
Styrofoam are as insulation boards
for roofs, walls, floors in buildings,
and as loose packaging material
called packing peanuts.
Recycling
 While it can be recycled, the
recycling market is diminishing.
In many communities, people are
told that their recycling
companies will not accept
polystyrene products. Those that
are recycled are remanufactured
into things like cafeteria trays or
packing filler. Some states
like Texas do not accept
packaging peanuts for recycling
as they break easily and pollute
the environment, so keep an eye
on what can and cannot be
recycled if there is a center near
you.
Environmental
Problems due to Waste
 Styrofoam easily breaks into small bits.
Small land and aquatic animals eating these
pieces die due to toxins and blockage of their
stomachs leading to starvation
 Styrofoam is lightweight and therefore floats,
means that over time a great deal of
polystyrene has accumulated along coasts
and waterways around the world. It is one of
the main components of marine debris.
 Much of it sinks to the bottom of the sea
where it pollutes the seabed. When the fish
eat toxic materials in Styrofoam and the
additional pollutants it absorbs, the
chemicals bioaccumulate and can harm
people who consume this seafood.
Alternatives to Styrofoam

 A company called Ecovative Design has created a line of products product made
from fungi that are Styrofoam-like and aspire to be a more environmentally
friendly replacement for structural components like packaging material.

 Reduce Styrofoam usage by foregoing single-use items. Use or ask for paper
cups instead of Styrofoam. Many coffee outlets, university cafes and Slurpee
retailers offer a discount when customers bring their own mugs and cups. Some
even offer the possibility of sharing mugs.