They are persistent (i.e., they do not break down) in the environment, and si… kg since you landed here. Another cause for concern are the brominated flame retardants that are used on Styrofoam products. 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. It is broadly used in the manufacture of plastics, resins, and rubber. Health concerns of memory foam. Direct toxicity, as in the cases of lead, cadmium, and mercury; Carcinogens, as in the case of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) 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. 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. 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. 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).. 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. EPA Raises Health Concerns with Spray Foam Insulation. Formaldehyde: formaldehyde is not common in mattress usage. 90,000 workers are exposed to Styrene every year, causing variuos health issues. ©Copyright 2021 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. When volatile organic compound in the mattresses break down and release chemicals into the air, it is called off-gassing. 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. 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. 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. I do recycle the cups. This, too, will pass, I know, but a recent US Department of Health and Human Services report provides greater cause for concern. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Styrofoam’s Durability Is Bad for the Environment and for Humans. Get The Latest Health, Life & Money Trends. 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. 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. 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. What's a homeowner or builder to do? All rights reserved. Styrofoam manufacture also uses hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which … or Healthy Lifestyle Brands. After a tough winter, I’m sure everyone will be taking every opportunity to soak up the sun and enjoy the warmth! Health Care Mattress | Quality Memory Foam Products. 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. A lot of people assume that Styrofoam must be safe since it's often what our takeaway comes in… wrong! “Evidence indicates that all blowing agents currently used or proposed in connection with the manufact… More commonly known as Styrofoam, polystyrene is a petroleum based plastic commonly used for crafts, packing and insulation. Originally published May 16, 2011. 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." Styrofoam isn't just bad for the environment; it's bad for your health. It is also very brittle, and can break into small pieces that are easy for animals to eat. 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. Styrofoam pollution is a major environmental threat. It all adds up… so now, are you willing to accept toxic industrial chemicals in your soup? Start your 14-day free trial now – and start eating anti-inflammatory today! 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. Updated by Paula Melton June 1, 2018. The health concerns are great. Health Effects. The compounds are also a concern in the dust created when the product is trimmed. Olga Naidenko, PhD, senior scientist, Environmental Working Group, Washington, DC. 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. Even the more expensive brands contain some of the most toxic substances. Environmental & Social Issues Impacts and Risks of Polystyrene. Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging - Your Online Guide to the Anti-Inflammatory Diet. While the NTP describes evidence that styrene can cause cancer as “limited,” it reports that the occupational hazards include an increased risk for leukemia and lymphoma as well as genetic damage in white blood cells of workers exposed to the chemical. Oops! Styrene, for example, is the foundational ingredient used to make polystyrene. Research suggests that these chemicals may have negative environmental and health effects. 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. Composed of 95% air, Styrofoam is incredibly light. 246 workers today. 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. Is using these cups harmful to us chemically? 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 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'. A small minority of spray foam customers have experienced problems: Spray Foam Jobs With Lingering Odor Problems. 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. But styrene, the chemical building block of polystyrene foam, is linked to an array of health problems. What's a homeowner or builder to do? Then, too, every day we are bombarded with a multitude of toxins in the environment. 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. Styrofoam TM not only poses a threat to human health, but can also be harmful to the environment. 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… Some of these chemicals have been linked to health problems such as metabolic disorders (including obesity) and reduced fertility. The end result is that the styrene foam containers blow away, often into the ocean, where they don’t disintegrate. Environmental health concerns start with the elements used to make Styrofoam. Customer Care | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | About Us, Copyright © 2021 Bottom Line Inc. 3 Landmark Square Suite 201 Stamford, CT 06901 Foam is lightweight and is easily blown by wind or washed away by rain into water sources. Annually, around 2.3 billion kilograms of Styrofoam end up in our landfills and waterways. by Tristan Roberts. In honor of the warm weather, you may be stocking up on all your disposable plates, tables cloths, utensils. This leaching can occur even faster and to a greater degree when plastic is exposed to heat. The Dangers of Using Spray Foam Insulation. Styrene, for example, is the foundational ingredient used to make polystyrene. Polystyrene (solid and foam) is widely used to protect consumer products. 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. Originally published May 16, 2011. 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! You would be doing the environment (and possibly your health) a favor by reducing use of containers made with polystyrene. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, spray polyurethane foam can have significant health effects when installed into a personal indoor environment. Public Contamination. Updated by Paula Melton June 1, 2018. 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. These health issues can include lung damage, asthma, sensitization, respiratory and breathing problems… This substance is not safe for use in the U.S. since 2004 due to health concerns. 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