Triaxis Energy

Polystyrene or more commonly referred to as Styrofoam is a product which is not only very wasteful but is a health hazard we have been exposed to for years.

Most commonly seen in drinking cups and food containers, Polystyrene puts a terrible strain on our environment.  It has been claimed in 1986 by the EPA that the manufacturing process of Polystyrene is the 5th largest producer of hazardous waste.  The original manufacturing process even produced CFC’s (Chlorofluorocarbons) which are chemicals that deplete the ozone.  That alone is enough to persuade me not to use the stuff.  But wait it gets better.  This garbage doesn’t even biodegrade which means it will be around forever just blowing around on the ground or washing up on beaches easy enough for wildlife to mistake it for food and screw up their digestive tracks possibly even killing them.  It has been shown by the National Bureau of Standards Center for Fire Research that Polystyrene releases 57 chemical byproducts when combusted.  It is a petroleum product like plastic which means oil is used to manufacture it.  Just what we need, another way to burn up oil!

We have seen this product everywhere from food containers to home insulation but it it safe?  Not really.  It has been shown to cause problems such as skin irritation, upper respiratory and gastrointestinal problems in humans.  Not to mention the fact that toxins are released into the food we consume that has been in contact with Polystyrene.  Especially when the container and food is heated like in a microwave.  Yummy!  Chronic exposure to it can cause another array of problems such as: depression, headache, fatigue and other minor effects to the  kidneys and blood.

What I suggest is that we try to limit as much use of Polystyrene in all it’s forms for the environment and for our own health.  How?  Don’t buy it.  If a coffee shop or restaurant sells food in Styrofoam containers them for a cardboard container instead or eat in the restaurant.  Take out wastes so much packaging.  If you receive a package in the mail with  Styrofoam packing material ask the company to cease using it.  You could always ask not to receive anything with the material packaged in it.  Some companies are now beginning to return excess waste packaging in an effort to stop the problem.  There’s all kinds of ways to reduce your use of Polystyrene (Styrofoam).  Hopefully we can eliminate a fair amount of it from being produced and discarded so needlessly.