Styrene (a component of polystyrene) is a harmful chemical that can leech into food and drink. It all adds up… so now, are you willing to accept toxic industrial chemicals in your soup? More commonly known as Styrofoam, polystyrene is a petroleum based plastic commonly used for crafts, packing and insulation. Originally published May 16, 2011. 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. Updated by Paula Melton June 1, 2018. Styrene, for example, is the foundational ingredient used to make polystyrene. 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. “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. Annually, around 2.3 billion kilograms of Styrofoam end up in our landfills and waterways. A lot of people assume that Styrofoam must be safe since it's often what our takeaway comes in… wrong! 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? There can be a cough and slight changes in lung activity, but there is no known correlation between carbon black and cancer or any other body systems. When volatile organic compound in the mattresses break down and release chemicals into the air, it is called off-gassing. 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. 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. What's a homeowner or builder to do? Foam is lightweight and is easily blown by wind or washed away by rain into water sources. Something went wrong while submitting the form. The okayed verbiage is that it is like a health checkup for your foam and that doesn’t contain a laundry list of known bad chemicals, some of which are known carcinogens. 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. This, too, will pass, I know, but a recent US Department of Health and Human Services report provides greater cause for concern. Some of these chemicals have been linked to health problems such as metabolic disorders (including obesity) and reduced fertility. Styrene causes lung tumors in several strains of mice. A lot of people assume that Styrofoam must be safe since it's often what our takeaway comes in… wrong! Updated by Paula Melton June 1, 2018. Olga Naidenko, PhD, senior scientist, Environmental Working Group, Washington, DC. Spray foam is a two-component chemical system: Part A and Part B. This, too, will pass, I know, but a recent US Department of Health and Human Services report provides greater cause for concern. A small minority of spray foam customers have experienced problems: Spray Foam Jobs With Lingering Odor Problems. Given no testing was conducted only time will tell on how effects of their use impact human health. Reducing exposure to cancer-causing agents is something we all want, but it takes knowledge and action on each person’s part to achieve that. Oops! 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. Spray-polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation, growing in popularity, is under scrutiny from EPA. 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. 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. Styrofoam isn't just bad for the environment; it's bad for your health. 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. Styrene poses the greatest danger to humans who are exposed to it in the workplace. Not only can off-gassing lead to chemical odor, but it can also cause dizziness and respiratory problems in some people. Environmental & Social Issues Impacts and Risks of Polystyrene. EPA Raises Health Concerns with Spray Foam Insulation. 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. Your submission has been received! 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. Polystyrene foam's light weight and insulation properties also make it a favorite choice for cups, plates and bowls at family picnics. The Dangers of Using Spray Foam Insulation. Polystyrene foam cups contain styrene – a chemical compound that is increasingly suspect. 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. Polystyrene, commonly referred to as Styrofoam™, is extremely difficult to dispose of properly, and it releases dangerous styrene into virtually all living creatures. 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. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. 1. The health concerns are great. cups since you landed here. The EWG is a nonprofit, research-based organization dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Styrofoam’s Durability Is Bad for the Environment and for Humans. Health concerns of memory foam. The adverse health effects of styrene intensify when we heat or burn Styrofoam. Styrene, for example, is the foundational ingredient used to make polystyrene. “Evidence indicates that all blowing agents currently used or proposed in connection with the manufact… www.EWG.org. Then, too, every day we are bombarded with a multitude of toxins in the environment. Styrene (a component of polystyrene) is a harmful chemical that can leech into food and drink. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services added eight more substances to their list of known carcinogens a week after a World Health Organization study … Start your 14-day free trial now – and start eating anti-inflammatory today! In honor of the warm weather, you may be stocking up on all your disposable plates, tables cloths, utensils. kg since you landed here. 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". 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. 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).. Always consult a competent professional for answers specific to your questions and circumstances. There are many reasons to ditch the disposable products and polystyrene foam is one of them. You would be doing the environment (and possibly your health) a favor by reducing use of containers made with polystyrene. 246 workers today. 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. In addition to creating safety problems during production, many chemical additives that give plastic products desirable performance properties also have negative environmental and human health effects. 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. These health issues can include lung damage, asthma, sensitization, respiratory and breathing problems… While the NTP describes evidence that styrene can cause cancer as “limited,” it reports that the occupational hazards include an increased risk for leukemia and lymphoma as well as genetic damage in white blood cells of workers exposed to the chemical. It is also very brittle, and can break into small pieces that are easy for animals to eat. Environmental health concerns start with the elements used to make Styrofoam. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, spray polyurethane foam can have significant health effects when installed into a personal indoor environment. Public Contamination. 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. Styrene causes lung tumors in several strains of mice. They are persistent (i.e., they do not break down) in the environment, and si… Polystyrene (solid and foam) is widely used to protect consumer products. Styrofoam isn't just bad for the environment; it's bad for your health. I do recycle the cups. 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. All rights reserved. Composed of 95% air, Styrofoam is incredibly light. Styrofoam contains the chemical styrene, which has been linked to cancer, vision and hearing loss, impaired memory and concentration, and nervous system effectsthe list goes on. Another cause for concern are the brominated flame retardants that are used on Styrofoam products. Even the more expensive brands contain some of the most toxic substances. In recent years, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation has become increasingly popular in both residential and commercial construction. It is broadly used in the manufacture of plastics, resins, and rubber. 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. Environmental health concerns start with the elements used to make Styrofoam. Variuos health issues is the foundational ingredient used to make polystyrene crafts, packing and insulation also... Favor by reducing use of containers made with polystyrene, which is on! 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