Is Styrofoam Harmful for the Environment

From LoveToKnow GreenLiving

The question, "Is Styrofoam harmful for the environment", is a much debated but when the pros and cons are weighed, the answer is "yes" it is harmful.

Styrofoam Uses

Most people don't begin to realize the diverse ways Styrofoam is used. Often, people think of it as coffee cups and food containers, and while that is a common use, Styrofoam is also used for items like insulation and packaging.

When used for food containers, some people warn that toxic chemicals leach from the Styrofoam into the food products they hold, especially if the food is reheated in a microwave while still in the container. Chemicals released in this process are said to threaten reproductive systems as well as health in general.

What Styrofoam Is Made Of

Styrofoam has become such an accepted everyday product, that people often don't stop to realize that it is made from polystyrene which is a petroleum-based plastic. In fact, Styrofoam is the trade name for polystyrene. It gained popularity because it is light weight and offers good insulation properties that help to keep products cold or hot and keeps things safe during the shipping process without adding weight.

Is Styrofoam Harmful for the Environment Or Not?

Environmental health concerns start with the elements used to make Styrofoam. Styrene for example is the foundational ingredient used to make polystyrene. It is broadly used in the making of plastics, resins and rubber.

The EPA and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have established styrene as a possible human carcinogen. For those who are exposed regularly in the manufacture of products made with Styrene some of the acute health effects experienced include:

Irritation of the skin
Irritation of the eyes
Irritation of the upper respiratory tract
Gastrointestinal effects

Chronic exposure to Styrene leads to further complications including affects on the nervous system. Symptoms of chronic exposure include:

Depression
Headache
Fatigue
Weakness
Minor effects on kidney function

Hazardous Waste

Along with the health risks associated with the manufacture of products that use polystyrene, The National Bureau of Standards Center for Fire Research noted 57 chemical by-products released during the creation of Styrofoam. This not only pollutes the air but also produces loads of liquid and solid waste to disposed of.

Not-sustainable Resource

Another reason that Styrofoam is harmful for the environment is that it is made with petroleum which is a non-sustainable resource. Not only that, but petroleum is a heavily polluting resource.

Recycle Styrofoam

Styrofoam is notorious for filling up our landfills. While it can be recycled, unfortunately 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.

Styrofoam and Pollution

Is Styrofoam harmful for the environment in relation to pollution other than filling our landfills? Yes. When Styrofoam is made it releases hydrocarbons into the air. It combines with nitrogen oxides and forms tropospheric ozone. This can reap serious health issues even in healthy individuals and can harm the immune system.

Food Contamination

When Styrofoam containers are used for food chemicals can leach into the food, affecting human health and the reproductive systems. This is accentuated if people reheat the food while still in the container.

Alternative Products

While Styrofoam is bad for the environment, strides have been made in producing environmentally-friendly products to replace it. For example, biodegradable polymers are being used to make packing material to replace Styrofoam peanuts.