Photo: Kindel Media

Is breathing in Styrofoam toxic?

The human health effects from exposure to low environmental levels of styrene are unknown. Workers exposed to large amounts of styrene can develop irritation of the eyes and breathing passages. With long-term and large exposures, workers using styrene have had injury to their nervous systems.

cdc.gov - Styrene Factsheet | National Biomonitoring Program - CDC

What's the best siding for a shed?

LP Siding – If you love the look of traditional wood siding, but you want better durability, LP siding might be the best option for your shed. It...

Last updated Nov 16, 2022

How much solar power do I need to run a refrigerator?

How many solar panels do I need to run a refrigerator? The average refrigerator takes about three or four average solar panels to run. The average...

Last updated Jul 18, 2018

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

Styrene Factsheet

Styrene is a chemical used to make latex, synthetic rubber, and polystyrene resins. These resins are used to make plastic packaging, disposable cups and containers, insulation, and other products. Styrene is also produced naturally in some plants.

How People Are Exposed to Styrene

People may be exposed to styrene by breathing it in the air. Styrene is often detected in urban air. It can be found indoors as a result of operating photocopiers and laser printers, and from cigarette smoke. Small amounts may be eaten when styrene migrates into foods from packaging made of polystryrene.

How Styrene Affects People’s Health

Levels of Styrene in the U.S. Population

In the Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals (Fourth Report), CDC scientists measured styrene in the blood of 1,245 participants aged 20–59 years who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 2003–2004. The prior survey period of 2001–2002 is also included in the Fourth Report. By measuring styrene in blood, scientists can estimate the amounts of styrene that have entered people’s bodies. CDC researchers found measurable levels of styrene in less than half of the participants. Finding measurable amounts of styrene in the blood does not imply that the levels of styrene cause an adverse health effect. Biomonitoring studies on levels of styrene provide physicians and public health officials with reference values so that they can determine whether people have been exposed to higher levels of styrene than are found in the general population. Biomonitoring data can also help scientists plan and conduct research on exposure and health effects.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

What is the best woodworking book for beginners?

The following titles are some of the best woodworking books for honing your craft. BEST OVERALL: The Complete Book of Woodworking. BEST BANG FOR...

Last updated Oct 5, 2018

What fits in a 8x8 storage unit?

Our 8×8 Storage Unit, approximately 64 square feet, is a comparable, wider upgrade from the 7×10 unit. The 8×8 extra space allows for all kinds of...

Last updated Sep 30, 2021

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

Why did McDonald's get rid of Styrofoam cups?

McDonald's Corp. has confirmed that it will replace all polystyrene beverage cups with paper cups at its 14,000 U.S. outlets. The move comes in response to a shareholder proposal filed by environmental advocacy group As You Sow in 2011, asking it to stop using foam.

packworld.com - McDonald's agrees to phase out foam cups - Packaging World

McDonald’s Corp. has confirmed that it will replace all polystyrene beverage cups with paper cups at its 14,000 U.S. outlets. The move comes in response to a shareholder proposal filed by environmental advocacy group As You Sow in 2011, asking it to stop using foam. In 2012, McDonald’s agreed to test replacement of its foam cups with a double-walled paper hot cup at approximately 2,000 restaurants, primarily on the West Coast. The company deemed the pilots successful, and the paper cup will now become the standard hot beverage cup at all U.S. outlets. Notes As You Sow, PS is not widely recycled and has become pervasive in the marine environment, carried through storm drains to the ocean. It breaks down into small indigestible pellets that birds and marine mammals mistake for food, resulting in their death. Scores of cities in California have banned or restricted the use of PS food packaging, and Mayor Bloomberg has proposed a ban on foam in the New York City. McDonald’s began to phase out its iconic clamshell foam hamburger box in 1990 amid controversy about the environmental impacts of PS, but continued to use foam beverage cups. As You Sow is also in dialogue with Dunkin’ Donuts, which uses foam hot beverage cups. The company recently announced plans to phase out foam cups in two to three years but has not disclosed what materials it will use instead. According to As You Sow, there are also occupational risks associated with styrene, which is used to make PS. The group says that the International Agency for Research on Cancer has determined that styrene is a possible human carcinogen and it has been listed as listed as a possible carcinogen by the National Institutes of Health's National Toxicology Program.