Hazards of Styrofoam

Styrofoam is the Dow Chemical Company’s trademark name for its formulation of extruded polystyrene insulation patented in 1944. Since its invention, the name has entered common usage, much like other iconic product names, to describe a whole group of products made of expanded polystyrene foam (EPF) from packing peanuts and foam to cups and food containers. The use of EPF is so widespread—and profitable—that its hazards have been hotly debated for years.

Styrene

• Light, inexpensive EPF is used in household goods and children's toys.

  Styrene, the primary raw material used in the production of extruded or expanded polystyrene, is a petrochemical that has been the subject of dozens of studies since plastics were developed. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed a Hazard Summary in 1992 and updated it in 2000 after the production of Styrofoam was reformulated with materials to replace chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) chemicals. The EPA found that the primary risks associated with styrene were occupational as well as outgassing found in indoor air from polystyrene building materials, consumer products and tobacco smoke. Although the EPA made no assertion of positive cancer risk, central nervous system effects from headaches, fatigue and depression to dysfunction in reaction time, memory loss, visual-motor accuracy and intellectual function were reported in humans. More physical and reproductive risks were suggested in animal studies; some effects were reported among humans in hearing loss, kidney and blood as well as acute mucous membrane irritation and gastrointestinal effects.

Flammability

• EPF is used every day as an effective, inexpensive packing material.

  The main flammability risk with EPF is the gas used during the expansion process—EPF is largely air. Traces of pentane, a flammable gas that vents as the material cures, remain in the material until it is used by consumers and is flammable. Polystyrene is flammable does not burn out but slowly melts and bubbles, releasing a dense smoke that may contain toxic substances; it has been classified as a Group C Medium Risk Hazardous Art Substance by Australia’s Department of Education and Training.

Pollution

• Markets are nonexistent for postconsumer EPFs, making recycling efforts expensive.

  Polystyrene presents the classic pollution problems: hydrocarbons and other toxic substances are used in its manufacture, are present in the finished material or are released into the atmosphere during its use or incineration. A viable recycling industry does not exist, in part because the bulky EPF contains so little reclaimable styrene. Polystyrene does not decompose--it breaks into smaller pieces, creating permanent litter and unusable fiber for hungry wild animals. The addiction to EPF is profound because it has become an integral and, in some cases, more environmentally friendly material than many options in today’s fast-paced consumer society. With so many problematic materials to choose from, the answer may lie in new materials such as organic plastics made of corn or bamboo or developing viable industries to refashion goods out of post-consumer materials.