Should we ban Styrofoam?

I am sure you have received a box lunch or cup of soup in a Styrofoam container. There are easily accessible all over the island and several restaurants offer take out using the popular white containers.

What is Styrofoam?

Styrofoam is made from polystyrene. Polystyrene is a petroleum-based plastic. It gained popularity because it is lightweight, offers good insulation properties that keep products cold or hot, and keeps things safe during the shipping process without adding weight.

While there are some positive aspects of the material, research has shown that Styrofoam also has harmful effects.

Harmful Effects

The International Agency for Research on Cancer have established styrene, which is  an ingredient used to make polystyrene, a possible human carcinogen.

That means it is a possible cancer causing agent.  Certainly makes you think twice about using it right?

Research has shown that 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

Did you ever imagine that the product you are eating from could be so harmful?

If you try to get rid of it, there is another problem. Stryofoam is notorious for being difficult to dispose.  That’s because it does not break down and return to the environment.

This, combined with the fact that Styrofoam is lightweight and therefore floats, means that over time a great deal of polystyrene has accumulated along coasts and waterways.

So our rivers and oceans are now more polluted!

Do you like to warm your food up in a microwave?

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.

Banned!

Since I have outlined all the inherent dangers of using Styrofoam containers, it should be obvious what consumers should clamour for next! A ban of all Styrofoam products seems to be the right direction to go.

In fact a number of countries have banned their use. Here in the Caribbean, Guyana is following suit. According to media reports they will ban the product starting January 1, 2016.

Whereas some restaurants have been exploring alternatives to Styrofoam, a number of eateries are still distributing food in Styrofoam containers.

As consumers it is in our best interest to know the risks of using Styrofoam and encourage our policy makers to protect us.

What’s your take?

Should Styrofoam containers be banned?

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner online writer

Tags: Styrofoam containers