Thank you! by Tristan Roberts. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, of the nearly 20 million pounds of waste styrene generated annually, about 17.8 million pounds winds up in the air and 1.7 million pounds gets into surface waters. Polystyrene foam cups contain styrene – a chemical compound that is increasingly suspect. Environmental health experts have questioned the assumption of spray foam’s safety and believe more research is necessary to prove that it isn’t hazardous to human health. The fact that styrene can adversely affect humans in a number of ways raises serious public health and safety questions regarding its build-up in human tissue. Studies have found that certain chemicals in plastic can leach out of the plastic and into the food and beverages we eat. “Evidence indicates that all blowing agents currently used or proposed in connection with the manufact… 90,000 workers are exposed to Styrene every year, causing variuos health issues. In the 12th edition of its Report on Carcinogens, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) stated that styrene is “reasonably anticipated to be a carcinogen,” and the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified styrene as a “possible human carcinogen.” However, in spite of these classifications, polystyrene foam continues to be widely used for coffee cups, egg cartons, and salad boxes as well as disposable bowls, plates and trays. The compounds are also a concern in the dust created when the product is trimmed. In recent years, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation has become increasingly popular in both residential and commercial construction. EPA Raises Health Concerns with Spray Foam Insulation. The National Resources Defense Council notes that polystyrene foam from coffee cups and other food containers are clogging landfills and turning up in the ocean, where sea birds and marine animals swallow it. Eye Health: Top Doc’s Integrated Approach, Face Value: Investing in Metals and Money. Beyond that, styrene also has been associated with respiratory problems among workers exposed to it as well as with “styrene sickness,” a combination of headache, fatigue and feelings of drunkenness. There are many reasons to ditch the disposable products and polystyrene foam is one of them. Customer Care |  Privacy Policy |  Terms and Conditions |  About Us, Copyright © 2021 Bottom Line Inc. 3 Landmark Square Suite 201 Stamford, CT 06901 That doesn’t make the items I’m talking about any less dangerous, as you’ll see below, but it’s important to clarify what we are talking about. In honor of the warm weather, you may be stocking up on all your disposable plates, tables cloths, utensils. Olga Naidenko, PhD, senior scientist, Environmental Working Group, Washington, DC. Stay Connected With Dr. Weil - Get Free Newsletters Right In Your Inbox, Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Spray-polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation, growing in popularity, is under scrutiny from EPA. More energy efficient than traditional fiberglass insulation, SPF insulation is used to create a moisture and vapor barrier in perimeter walls, crawl spaces and attics. Health Effects. cups since you landed here. Oops! Public Contamination. 246 workers today. Styrene causes lung tumors in several strains of mice. Our content is further subject to our Terms and Conditions. Apart from the dangers styrene may pose to human health, it also poses a risk to the environment. The cups apparently lose weight during the time they are at use. “Trace amounts of styrene as well as various chemical additives in polystyrene migrate into food, which increases significantly in hot liquids,” explains Olga Naidenko, PhD, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org). Given no testing was conducted only time will tell on how effects of their use impact human health. Something went wrong while submitting the form. Not only can off-gassing lead to chemical odor, but it can also cause dizziness and respiratory problems in some people. You would be doing the environment (and possibly your health) a favor by reducing use of containers made with polystyrene. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Annually, around 2.3 billion kilograms of Styrofoam end up in our landfills and waterways. Get The Latest Health, Life & Money Trends. But styrene, the chemical building block of polystyrene foam, is linked to an array of health problems. These health issues can include lung damage, asthma, sensitization, respiratory and breathing problems… Styrofoam pollution is a major environmental threat. But Gromer adds that memory foam doesn't do anything for sleep apnea or other sleep-breathing disorders -- and sleep disorders are the primary complaint of most her patients. A hard version of polystyrene is used to make plastic cutlery, yogurt and cottage cheese containers, cups and clear salad bar containers. Styrofoam isn't just bad for the environment; it's bad for your health. In June, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of HHS, added styrene — the chemical used in the manufacture of Styrofoam cups and food containers — to its list of substances “reasonably anticipated” to cause cancer. It is broadly used in the manufacture of plastics, resins, and rubber. More commonly known as Styrofoam, polystyrene is a petroleum based plastic commonly used for crafts, packing and insulation. Styrene (a component of polystyrene) is a harmful chemical that can leech into food and drink. Styrene isn’t known to leach out of hard plastics, but some evidence suggests that it can leach out of foam food containers and cups when food or drinks are hot – not when they’re cold. This, too, will pass, I know, but a recent US Department of Health and Human Services report provides greater cause for concern. Your submission has been received! My husband and I like to have iced green tea during the day and use insulating foam cups because they keep the tea colder longer and do not sweat. hydrocarbons in Styrofoam manufacturing releases hydrocarbons into the air at ground level; there, combined with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight, they form ozone, a dangerous air pollutant at ground level.ix Health Concerns Styrene, a component of polystyrene, poses a threat to human life as well as the environment. Is using these cups harmful to us chemically? Originally published May 16, 2011. All rights reserved. A small minority of spray foam customers have experienced problems: Spray Foam Jobs With Lingering Odor Problems. Start your 14-day free trial now – and start eating anti-inflammatory today! As for recycling the material, some recyclers won’t take foam containers because they’re so light – the profit in recycling is calculated by weight. These effects include. It is also very brittle, and can break into small pieces that are easy for animals to eat. It is used in the manufacture of a wide array of products, everything from boats, car and truck parts, to bath tubs and shower stalls with glass fiber-reinforced polyester composite plastics. The HHS says that the levels released from food containers are very low — but for me, that’s not very comforting when I think about the literally thousands of doses that we each have taken in over the years. Styrofoam TM not only poses a threat to human health, but can also be harmful to the environment. Styrofoam is made from the plastic polystyrene, which is based on building blocks called styrene monomers. My niece is a college student, and forget about the healthy snacks that my sister once plied her with — frozen blueberries, raw carrots and peppers, Greek yogurt. That doesn’t make the items I’m talking about any less dangerous, as you’ll see below, but it’s important to clarify what we are talking about. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, spray polyurethane foam can have significant health effects when installed into a personal indoor environment. The health concerns are great. Spray-polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation, growing in popularity, is under scrutiny from EPA. Reason Foam Fails #7: Unhealthy Off-Gassing & Dust Spray foam throws off two forms of toxic poison: off-gassing of the volatile organic compounds and uncured chemical dust. This, too, will pass, I know, but a recent US Department of Health and Human Services report provides greater cause for concern. They are persistent (i.e., they do not break down) in the environment, and si… The end result is that the styrene foam containers blow away, often into the ocean, where they don’t disintegrate. Formaldehyde on the skin may irritate the nose, eye, and throat. The National Research Council in the U.S. says styrene - the key chemical component of foam cups and disposable food containers - can be 'reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen'. Research suggests that these chemicals may have negative environmental and health effects. “This is a problem, because polystyrene is very commonly used as disposable packaging for hot food and beverages” — and has been for many years! Another cause for concern are the brominated flame retardants that are used on Styrofoam products. Based on what we now know, you’re probably safe using styrene foam cups for cold drinks, but I wouldn’t use them for hot coffee or tea, and I would avoid using plastic containers for hot foods. What's a homeowner or builder to do? Styrofoam isn't just bad for the environment; it's bad for your health. You can recognize styrene foam cups at a glance. Beyond that, styrene also has been associated with respiratory problems among workers exposed to it as well as with “styrene sickness,” a combination of headache, fatigue and feelings of drunkenness. Then, too, every day we are bombarded with a multitude of toxins in the environment. The primary health concern from the inhalation of carbon black involves the respiratory system. I also found the MSDS of an example Expanded Polystyrene Board, which does mentions off-gas issues.Though it only applies to large amounts of "fresh" polystyrene, being stored in a "confined, unventilated area". Styrene has also been linked to nerve damage and hormonal disruption. According to the EPA: “Homeowners who are exposed to isocyanates and other spray foam chemicals in vapours, aerosols, and dust during or after the installation process “run the risk of developing asthma, sensitization, lung damage, other respiratory and breathing problems, and skin and eye irritation." I do recycle the cups. Styrofoam poses serious health concerns for aquatic life and the general health of the planet, which is no surprise, given that it’s made of thousands of pieces of non-biodegradable plastic. www.drweil.com. Health concerns of memory foam. Environmental health concerns start with the elements used to make Styrofoam. Environmental & Social Issues Impacts and Risks of Polystyrene. When volatile organic compound in the mattresses break down and release chemicals into the air, it is called off-gassing. This substance is not safe for use in the U.S. since 2004 due to health concerns. Urethane foam is everywhere — it’s under your carpet, in your furniture and your bed, in your walls, on the soles of your shoes and in your athletic helmet. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals found in many products, such as clothing, carpets, fabrics for furniture, adhesives, paper packaging for food, and heat-resistant/non-stick cookware. Styrene (a component of polystyrene) is a harmful chemical that can leech into food and drink. Environmental health concerns start with the elements used to make Styrofoam. According to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for TRYMER(TM) 3000 Rigid Polyisocyanurate Insulation, there should be no problems (for this specific product anyway).. Formaldehyde: formaldehyde is not common in mattress usage. Styrofoam Cups/Polystyrene Are Dangerous To Your Health The iconic white coffee cup and clamshell take-out containers we all know so well are not REALLY Styrofoam, so let’s make that clear from the beginning. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. Styrene causes lung tumors in several strains of mice. “It is in the interest of the health, safety, and welfare of all who live, work, and do business in the City that the amount of litter on the public streets, parks, public places, and open spaces be reduced.” 2. 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