STYROFOAM

1.      Styrofoam has toxins which leach out of these containers into the editable food is packaged. Polystyrene actually emits harmful things like Styrene and Benzene into the air and into the food that has been packed in such containers. When the food is eaten, these toxins affect the reproductive system of the customer. Styrene then ends up getting stored in our fat cells. Where they can accumulate to dangerous levels causing nervousness, fatigue, insomnia and depression. Benzene causes cancer in humans. Now, due to more awareness, less of these products are used for packing edibles, but they are still used. The reason is that Styrofoam is cheaper than paper cups and containers.

2.      Styrofoam products are not bio grade. It seems to last eternally. The reason is that the environment does not seem to harm it. More over since it is light, the wind makes it fly away, and it floats on water. Over long periods of time, a great deal of this material has accumulated in our water bodies, affecting marine life.

3.      Styrofoam products are made with petroleum. Petroleum is a heavy pollutant; more over this is a commodity that is getting scarce. This is another negative against using Styrofoam.

4.      The Styrofoam that ends up in our garbage continues to live there indefinitely. Over time, animals end up eating it and it clogs their digestive system. Since animals do get eaten by others and also by man, it directly and indirectly affects our health.

5.      Styrofoam is increasing taking up space in our landfills. The landfills will eventually be breached, and since it does not break down and get recycle by the earth, this is a dangerous situation.

6.      Styrofoam manufacturing is done using Hydroflourocarbons  or HFC’s and more recently CFC’s that contribute to global warming and deplete the ozone layer.