In our daily life, we might be used a lot of product, which made by chemical. So what do you think about polystyrene? As you know, those foods packaging that we used mostly is made by polystyrene. For instance cups, plates, bowl and tray. Do you know what is it contents inside?
Polystyrene also known as Styrofoam is one of the most widely used type of plastics because it is cheap and a hard plastic that finds use in a number application. It is actually an aromatic polymer that is made from the monomer styrene, which link together to form large molecules of polystyrene through the process of polymerization. It is a long hydrocarbon chain that has a phenyl group attached to every carbon atom. Styrene is commercially manufactured from petroleum. Polystyrene is a rigid and transparent thermoplastic, which is present in solid or glassy at normal temperature. But once it is heated, it turns into a form that flows and can used for molding and extrusion when above its glass transition temperature. When it is cooled, it forms solid again. Polystyrene can be divided into three varieties: general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS). Different types of polystyrene have their different uses.
Polystyrene is so useful in packaging material but once good are delivery, it will becomes a waste material. As we know, polystyrene is non-biodegradable. It will takes hunnot be destroyed by hundred or even thousand years. Polystyrene is manufactured using HCFC-22 (Chlorodifluoromethane), which is a potential ozone depleting agent and potent greenhouse gas, thus is pose a threat to the environment than other waste material. 57 type of chemical byproduct released during the combustion of polystyrene foam. Some of the people might choose to burn polystyrene in order to clear off the stuff, but it will releases styrene gas which can affect ours nervous system. Besides, burning of polystyrene usually will give out a sooty flame indicates combustion not even complete, while a complex mixture of toxic chemicals can produced by the relatively low temperature of a backyard burn. The chemical released from polystyrene not only endanger our environment, but also threaten our human health and reproductive system. For example, benzene or known as carcinogen inside the polystyrene is enter our human body either through skin or respiratory system. Since using polystyrene will bring along so many impact either for environment or our health, so we have to start conserved environment and save us from the sick by stop using polystyrene instead of others. So will you get ready to save the earth and yourself from sick??
Oops! Now I'm feeling guilty for using those styrofoam packaging when packing economy rice home for dinner. :-D Have to resort to using plastic containers already, but darn the washing to be done after eating! LOL! What's more it's difficult to wash oily plastic containers with soap because the oiliness may not go away easily even after you have wiped the oil with tissue paper. And have to use more dish washing liquid as well if you want to do only one round of washing....and hahaha, end up having more chemicals going into water and perhaps ground water?
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