what is styrene foam

Is styrene the same as Styrofoam?

Styrofoam is made out of styrene which is a petroleum-based product. How is styrofoam made? Through polymerization, styrene is refined into polystyrene and then a hydrofluorocarbon agent is added. This combination is then extruded and allowed to expand under pressure until it forms a foam board.

What is styrene used for?

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.

What kind of material is styrene?

plasticWhat is Styrene (Polystyrene)? High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS), often referred to as styrene, is an easily machined and fabricated impact-resistant, versatile, and economical plastic. HIPS is often the preferred material for low strength structural applications.

Is styrene plastic safe?

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.

Is styrene harmful to health?

Chronic (long-term) exposure to styrene in humans results in effects on the central nervous system (CNS), such as headache, fatigue, weakness, and depression, CSN dysfunction, hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy.

Is polystyrene foam toxic?

Polystyrene foam not only poses a threat to human health, but can also be harmful to the environment. Foam is lightweight and is easily blown by wind or washed away by rain into water sources. It is also very brittle, and can break into small pieces that are easy for animals to eat.

What is polystyrene foam used for?

Polystyrene (PS) is used for producing disposable plastic cutlery and dinnerware, CD "jewel" cases, smoke detector housings, license plate frames, plastic model assembly kits, and many other objects where a rigid, economical plastic is desired.

What does styrene look like?

Styrene is a clear colorless liquid. Styrene is a liquid. While polystyrene, is a solid. But in the printing industry we often call both compounds styrene.

Is styrene a type of plastic?

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS), often referred to as styrene, is an affordable, light-weight, and readily transportable expandable plastic substance.

What are the side effects of styrene?

The features of “styrene sickness” include headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, fatigue and ataxia. In some cases inhalation of styrene can cause pulmonary oedema, cardiac arrhythmia, memory loss and a progressive loss of consciousness leading to coma [1-5].

Why is styrene toxic?

Styrene is extensively metabolized by the body enzymes into other chemicals that are excreted through urine. Metabolic action is required for carcinogenicity and toxicity. In the photo below, the metabolites from styrene bond to the DNA base guanine and cause carcinogenic effects.

Is styrene banned?

As of 2021, three U.S. states have passed legislation to ban polystyrene foam. Maryland was the first state to institute a ban which went into effect on October 1, 2020. In Maine, a ban on polystyrene foam went into effect on July 1, 2021.

What is styrene found in?

Styrene is detected in the natural components of roasted filberts, dried legumes, fried chicken, nectarines and Beaufort cheese. Styrene may also enter food from styrene containers and packaging. Levels found in food are typically too low to be of concern.

Is styrene better than glass?

Styrene is far lighter in weight than glass but incredibly tough; in fact, it is virtually unbreakable. This makes it a safer option for those of you with pets and children. Providing that it's UV-stabilised, it will retain its crystal-clear appearance and will neither fade nor discolour in the sun.

Is styrene the same as PVC?

Expanded PVC has a smooth matte finish surface, ideal for painting and lamination. It can be used for many of the same applications as styrene but is more durable and chemically resistant making it a better option for areas exposed to weather or moisture.

Where do we get styrene?

Almost all styrene is now produced by dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene, a compound obtained by reacting ethylene and benzene—both of which in turn are derived from petroleum. More than 15 million metric tons of the liquid are made each year.