In honor of the warm weather, you may be stocking up on all your disposable plates, tables cloths, utensils. A lot of people assume that Styrofoam must be safe since it's often what our takeaway comes in… wrong! Styrene causes lung tumors in several strains of mice. 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. 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." Styrene has also been linked to nerve damage and hormonal disruption. Composed of 95% air, Styrofoam is incredibly light. Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging - Your Online Guide to the Anti-Inflammatory Diet. ©Copyright 2021 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. In recent years, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation has become increasingly popular in both residential and commercial construction. 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).. Polystyrene foam cups contain styrene – a chemical compound that is increasingly suspect. The end result is that the styrene foam containers blow away, often into the ocean, where they don’t disintegrate. 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. Get The Latest Health, Life & Money Trends. Health concerns of memory foam. 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! 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. It all adds up… so now, are you willing to accept toxic industrial chemicals in your soup? 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. 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. They are persistent (i.e., they do not break down) in the environment, and si… Health Details: Health Care Memory Foam Mattresses Luxurious comfort, plush support, and a soothing sleep temperature combine to define the Health Care memory foam miracle!This revolutionary sleep technology is designed to conform to the contours of your body, help maintain temperature balance, and cradle you in maximum comfort… According to the Environmental Protection Agency, spray polyurethane foam can have significant health effects when installed into a personal indoor environment. 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. What's a homeowner or builder to do? 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. Styrene (a component of polystyrene) is a harmful chemical that can leech into food and drink. 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. Environmental health concerns start with the elements used to make Styrofoam. It determined that Styrofoam drinking cups leach Styrofoam into the liquids they contain. Oops! Styrofoam pollution is a major environmental threat. Environmental & Social Issues Impacts and Risks of 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. by Tristan Roberts. 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. EPA Raises Health Concerns with Spray Foam Insulation. They are also present in fire-fighting foams (or aqueous film forming foam; AFFF) used by both civilian and military firefighters. 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? 90,000 workers are exposed to Styrene every year, causing variuos health issues. When volatile organic compound in the mattresses break down and release chemicals into the air, it is called off-gassing. It is broadly used in the manufacture of plastics, resins, and rubber. The cups apparently lose weight during the time they are at use. All rights reserved. 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. Our content is further subject to our Terms and Conditions. Annually, around 2.3 billion kilograms of Styrofoam end up in our landfills and waterways. “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. Start your 14-day free trial now – and start eating anti-inflammatory today! Updated by Paula Melton June 1, 2018. Styrofoam isn't just bad for the environment; it's bad for your health. Formaldehyde on the skin may irritate the nose, eye, and throat. Always consult a competent professional for answers specific to your questions and circumstances. 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. www.drweil.com. Not only can off-gassing lead to chemical odor, but it can also cause dizziness and respiratory problems in some people. 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. Health Effects. The health concerns are great. Styrofoam manufacture also uses hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which … Thank you! 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. 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. Apart from the dangers styrene may pose to human health, it also poses a risk to the environment. After a tough winter, I’m sure everyone will be taking every opportunity to soak up the sun and enjoy the warmth! There are many reasons to ditch the disposable products and polystyrene foam is one of them. I do recycle the cups. 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. kg since you landed here. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands. Styrene (a component of polystyrene) is a harmful chemical that can leech into food and drink. It's finally warm and cookout season is upon us. Now she and her roommates subsist on salty soups in Styrofoam containers that they heat in the communal microwave. A lot of people assume that Styrofoam must be safe since it's often what our takeaway comes in… wrong! These health issues can include lung damage, asthma, sensitization, respiratory and breathing problems… Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Short-term exposure to styrene can cause eye, mucous membrane, and gastrointestinal irritation . 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". 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. This, too, will pass, I know, but a recent US Department of Health and Human Services report provides greater cause for concern. Spray-polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation, growing in popularity, is under scrutiny from EPA. Another cause for concern are the brominated flame retardants that are used on Styrofoam products. Is using these cups harmful to us chemically? Spray foam is a two-component chemical system: Part A and Part B. It is broadly used in the manufacture of plastics, resins, and rubber. The primary health concern from the inhalation of carbon black involves the respiratory system. “This is a problem, because polystyrene is very commonly used as disposable packaging for hot food and beverages” — and has been for many years! 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. “Evidence indicates that all blowing agents currently used or proposed in connection with the manufact… 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. Polystyrene, commonly referred to as Styrofoam™, is extremely difficult to dispose of properly, and it releases dangerous styrene into virtually all living creatures. Given no testing was conducted only time will tell on how effects of their use impact human 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. 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. www.EWG.org. A hard version of polystyrene is used to make plastic cutlery, yogurt and cottage cheese containers, cups and clear salad bar containers. 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. 246 workers today. The adverse health effects of styrene intensify when we heat or burn Styrofoam. Styrene, for example, is the foundational ingredient used to make polystyrene. Styrene poses the greatest danger to humans who are exposed to it in the workplace. The EWG is a nonprofit, research-based organization dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Styrofoam isn't just bad for the environment; it's bad for your health. But styrene, the chemical building block of polystyrene foam, is linked to an array of health problems. 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. 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. This, too, will pass, I know, but a recent US Department of Health and Human Services report provides greater cause for concern. 1. “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). Environmental health concerns start with the elements used to make Styrofoam. by Tristan Roberts. You would be doing the environment (and possibly your health) a favor by reducing use of containers made with polystyrene. 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. Even the more expensive brands contain some of the most toxic substances. 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. Originally published May 16, 2011. Formaldehyde: formaldehyde is not common in mattress usage. More commonly known as Styrofoam, polystyrene is a petroleum based plastic commonly used for crafts, packing and insulation. 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 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. 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. You can recognize styrene foam cups at a glance. Using your own coffee cup or mugs for your drinks and your own containers for foods is better for the planet. Styrene, for example, is the foundational ingredient used to make polystyrene. This substance is not safe for use in the U.S. since 2004 due to health concerns. Updated by Paula Melton June 1, 2018. 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. cups since you landed here. 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. Something went wrong while submitting the form. The Dangers of Using Spray Foam Insulation. 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. Styrene causes lung tumors in several strains of mice. Concerns start with the elements used to make polystyrene foam customers have experienced:! 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