Styrofoam is a particular polystyrene
form. The product is with a finer cellular structure and it is used for housing
insulation since its insulation properties are exuberant[i]. Furthermore, Polystyrene is a plastic from
petroleum products that are formed from styrene monomer. Styrofoam composition is 95% air which makes
it light in weight.
Styrofoam was first patented in the US in the
mid-1940s. As a result of its insulating properties and buoyancy, it was
prevalently used by the US navy at the advent of World War II. At the beginning
of the 21st century, its applications were expanded to other usages that
include but are limited to craft design applications and spray form insulation[ii]. According to Down Chemical Company, its
application can help to reduce significantly US energy costs over two decades
and could save enormous amounts of carbon dioxide emissions[iii].
However, a considerable number of states in the US have either ban or limited
polystyrene products. The reasons for the ban include but are not limited to
too much litter, difficulties of recycling since it is not biodegradable and
its production impact on the ozone layer.
Human health risks are directly correlated to
some of the reasons for either ban or limit of Styrofoam. In the long-run exposure to small quantities
of styrene can result in health complications such as fatigue, and low platelet
and chromosomal abnormalities[iv]. Furthermore,
chronic exposure has an impact on the central nervous system resulting to
headaches and difficulty sleeping conditions. There are also abnormalities in
the menstrual cycles of the women who have been exposed to Styrofoam.
In a nutshell, Styrofoam’s properties
make it ideal for housing insulation. Though the project has been in the market
since the mid-1940s it has proven to have many disadvantages. Ranging from
human health risk to environmental concerns, it is advisable to burn or limit
the usage of Styrofoam.
references
[ii] https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=BFaB5xsGbaMC&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Zimring,+C.+A.,+%26+Rathje,+W.+L.+(Eds.).+(2012).+Encyclopedia+of+consumption+and+waste:+the+social+science+of+garbage+(Vol.+1).+Sage.&ots=tVGIS4vMv6&sig=ggg3l6jusF4HRn0JyCAOOEE8ql0&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Zimring%2C%20C.%20A.%2C%20%26%20Rathje%2C%20W.%20L.%20(Eds.).%20(2012).%20Encyclopedia%20of%20consumption%20and%20waste%3A%20the%20social%20science%20of%20garbage%20(Vol.%201).%20Sage.&f=false
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