Styrene, for example, is the foundational ingredient used to make polystyrene. Get The Latest Health, Life & Money Trends. Not only can off-gassing lead to chemical odor, but it can also cause dizziness and respiratory problems in some people. I do recycle the cups. You would be doing the environment (and possibly your health) a favor by reducing use of containers made with polystyrene. Bottom Line, Inc. publishes the opinions of expert authorities in many fields These opinions are for educational and illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as either individual advice or as a substitute for legal, accounting, investment, medical and other professional services intended to suit your specific personal needs. 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 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. Apart from the dangers styrene may pose to human health, it also poses a risk to the environment. cups since you landed here. 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. It determined that Styrofoam drinking cups leach Styrofoam into the liquids they contain. Styrofoam manufacture also uses hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which … Our content is further subject to our Terms and Conditions. This leaching can occur even faster and to a greater degree when plastic is exposed to heat. 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. Annually, around 2.3 billion kilograms of Styrofoam end up in our landfills and waterways. by Tristan Roberts. The EWG is a nonprofit, research-based organization dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Styrene causes lung tumors in several strains of mice. Formaldehyde on the skin may irritate the nose, eye, and throat. 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 … Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging - Your Online Guide to the Anti-Inflammatory Diet. 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. Environmental health concerns start with the elements used to make Styrofoam. 90,000 workers are exposed to Styrene every year, causing variuos health issues. CD and DVD cases, foam packaging peanuts for shipping, food packaging, meat/poultry trays and egg cartons typically are made with polystyrene to protect against damage or spoilage. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, spray polyurethane foam can have significant health effects when installed into a personal indoor environment. “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. Short-term exposure to styrene can cause eye, mucous membrane, and gastrointestinal irritation . It all adds up… so now, are you willing to accept toxic industrial chemicals in your soup? www.EWG.org. 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. Olga Naidenko, PhD, senior scientist, Environmental Working Group, Washington, DC. Styrofoam’s Durability Is Bad for the Environment and for Humans. The compounds are also a concern in the dust created when the product is trimmed. Formaldehyde: formaldehyde is not common in mattress usage. Using your own coffee cup or mugs for your drinks and your own containers for foods is better for the planet. Styrene (a component of polystyrene) is a harmful chemical that can leech into food and drink. Even the more expensive brands contain some of the most toxic substances. Studies have found that certain chemicals in plastic can leach out of the plastic and into the food and beverages we eat. The primary health concern from the inhalation of carbon black involves the respiratory system. Styrene (a component of polystyrene) is a harmful chemical that can leech into food and drink. 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'. Styrofoam pollution is a major environmental threat. This, too, will pass, I know, but a recent US Department of Health and Human Services report provides greater cause for concern. A hard version of polystyrene is used to make plastic cutlery, yogurt and cottage cheese containers, cups and clear salad bar containers. Because polystyrene products are so common, many people assume they are safe, and that a government agency, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), would not allow a health- threatening product to be marketed to the public. The vast majority of spray foam customers are happy with their choice of insulation and report no negative health effects from living in a home insulated with spray foam. Your submission has been received! 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. Spray-polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation, growing in popularity, is under scrutiny from EPA. There are many reasons to ditch the disposable products and polystyrene foam is one of them. Health concerns of memory foam. Health Effects. To find out whether other food containers are made with polystyrene, look for the number 6 inside the recycling symbol. 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. 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. When you drink your steaming cup of coffee or spoon your chicken noodle soup or chili out of a Styrofoam cup, you also take in small doses of chemicals that leach from it. EPA Raises Health Concerns with Spray Foam Insulation. Foam is lightweight and is easily blown by wind or washed away by rain into water sources. 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. In honor of the warm weather, you may be stocking up on all your disposable plates, tables cloths, utensils. kg since you landed here. What's a homeowner or builder to do? 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. Some of these chemicals have been linked to health problems such as metabolic disorders (including obesity) and reduced fertility. It is broadly used in the manufacture of plastics, resins, and rubber. All rights reserved. But styrene, the chemical building block of polystyrene foam, is linked to an array of health problems. 246 workers today. 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. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. Originally published May 16, 2011. This substance is not safe for use in the U.S. since 2004 due to health concerns. Direct toxicity, as in the cases of lead, cadmium, and mercury; Carcinogens, as in the case of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) 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. Everything you need to get started eating a healthful, satisfying diet is here – including eating and shopping guides, over 300 recipes, and an exclusive version of Dr. Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid! Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Eye Health: Top Doc’s Integrated Approach, Face Value: Investing in Metals and Money. Given no testing was conducted only time will tell on how effects of their use impact human health. Polystyrene, commonly referred to as Styrofoam™, is extremely difficult to dispose of properly, and it releases dangerous styrene into virtually all living creatures. “Evidence indicates that all blowing agents currently used or proposed in connection with the manufact… 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. A small minority of spray foam customers have experienced problems: Spray Foam Jobs With Lingering Odor Problems. Now she and her roommates subsist on salty soups in Styrofoam containers that they heat in the communal microwave. Environmental & Social Issues Impacts and Risks of Polystyrene. Spray foam is a two-component chemical system: Part A and Part B. 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. Public Contamination. www.drweil.com. Originally published May 16, 2011. Updated by Paula Melton June 1, 2018. What's a homeowner or builder to do? 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. Health Care Mattress | Quality Memory Foam Products. Is using these cups harmful to us chemically? Customer Care |  Privacy Policy |  Terms and Conditions |  About Us, Copyright © 2021 Bottom Line Inc. 3 Landmark Square Suite 201 Stamford, CT 06901 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. Something went wrong while submitting the form. Composed of 95% air, Styrofoam is incredibly light. Styrene poses the greatest danger to humans who are exposed to it in the workplace. It is broadly used in the manufacture of plastics, resins, and rubber. 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. Always consult a competent professional for answers specific to your questions and circumstances. 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. ©Copyright 2021 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. 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).. It is also very brittle, and can break into small pieces that are easy for animals to eat. Updated by Paula Melton June 1, 2018. EPA Raises Health Concerns with Spray Foam Insulation. 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. 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. The adverse health effects of styrene intensify when we heat or burn Styrofoam. More commonly known as Styrofoam, polystyrene is a petroleum based plastic commonly used for crafts, packing and insulation. 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. The end result is that the styrene foam containers blow away, often into the ocean, where they don’t disintegrate. 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. Styrofoam isn't just bad for the environment; it's bad for your health. 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. 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." Another cause for concern are the brominated flame retardants that are used on Styrofoam products. You can recognize styrene foam cups at a glance. 1. Styrene, for example, is the foundational ingredient used to make polystyrene. A lot of people assume that Styrofoam must be safe since it's often what our takeaway comes in… wrong! Start your 14-day free trial now – and start eating anti-inflammatory today! Then, too, every day we are bombarded with a multitude of toxins in the environment. What happens when you eat hot foods or drink liquids from styrofoam plates and cups is the styrene leaches out of the Styrofoam and into our bodies. Oops! The cups apparently lose weight during the time they are at use. 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. Styrene causes lung tumors in several strains of mice. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands. It's finally warm and cookout season is upon us. 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. “This is a problem, because polystyrene is very commonly used as disposable packaging for hot food and beverages” — and has been for many years! Spray-polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation, growing in popularity, is under scrutiny from EPA. 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. 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. by Tristan Roberts. These health issues can include lung damage, asthma, sensitization, respiratory and breathing problems… The Dangers of Using Spray Foam Insulation. This, too, will pass, I know, but a recent US Department of Health and Human Services report provides greater cause for concern. Polystyrene foam cups contain styrene – a chemical compound that is increasingly suspect. They are persistent (i.e., they do not break down) in the environment, and si… A lot of people assume that Styrofoam must be safe since it's often what our takeaway comes in… wrong! 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. 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. 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