What is Styrofoam?
Polystyrene foam, or Styrofoam, is a petroleum-based plastic made from styrene monomer.
Styrofoam has a multitude of phenomenal qualities, such as moisture resistance and strong insulation. Since "Styrofoam" is composed of more than 90% air, polystyrene foam is light-weight and buoyant. In addition to that, it can be molded easily, making it an exceedingly useful manufacturing material. As a result, it is frequently used. For instance, polystyrene foam is utilized in model cars, model airplanes, foam packaging and insulation. Styrofoam is a trademarked product of the Dow Chemical Company; in reality, Styrofoam products are actually extruded polystyrene foam. In fact, the Dow Chemical Company is the largest manufacturer of extruded polystyrene in the world. But when Dow invented the extruded polystyrene, they intended that it was used for mainly insulation purposes, but eventually it created many more everyday uses.
Styrofoam has a multitude of phenomenal qualities, such as moisture resistance and strong insulation. Since "Styrofoam" is composed of more than 90% air, polystyrene foam is light-weight and buoyant. In addition to that, it can be molded easily, making it an exceedingly useful manufacturing material. As a result, it is frequently used. For instance, polystyrene foam is utilized in model cars, model airplanes, foam packaging and insulation. Styrofoam is a trademarked product of the Dow Chemical Company; in reality, Styrofoam products are actually extruded polystyrene foam. In fact, the Dow Chemical Company is the largest manufacturer of extruded polystyrene in the world. But when Dow invented the extruded polystyrene, they intended that it was used for mainly insulation purposes, but eventually it created many more everyday uses.
Different Types of Polystyrene Foam
Expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene are the two main types of polystyrene. Expanded polystyrene is the typical polystyrene you see everyday, it is commonly known as "Styrofoam". Plenty of polystyrene foam plates, cups, coolers, bowls, and box packaging items are made of expanded polystyrene foam. However, extruded polystyrene foam products are not Styrofoam. EPS's main component is styrene (C8H8).
Why is "Styrofoam" Toxic?
Hundreds of pounds of Styrofoam garbage are generated every day.
From cups and bowls to beanbag chairs and packing peanuts, Styrofoam is utilized and disposed of all the time. However, this "toxic foam" usually ends up in landfills, where it doesn't decompose. Because of polystyrene's
non-biodegradability, it is immortal. However, scientists have estimated
Styrofoam to survive for 1,000,000 years. This foam will pile up for years and
years, taking up space in landfills and never decomposing. Styrofoam products
will eventually erode, but the chemical makeup will never return to nature.
From cups and bowls to beanbag chairs and packing peanuts, Styrofoam is utilized and disposed of all the time. However, this "toxic foam" usually ends up in landfills, where it doesn't decompose. Because of polystyrene's
non-biodegradability, it is immortal. However, scientists have estimated
Styrofoam to survive for 1,000,000 years. This foam will pile up for years and
years, taking up space in landfills and never decomposing. Styrofoam products
will eventually erode, but the chemical makeup will never return to nature.