Skip Styrofoam Cups...for Your Health

Not only is the material no friend of the environment, but it can leach toxic chemicals.

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recycling symbols number 6 for plastics, ps polystyrene plastic

Photo: Istock

By Brian Clark Howard

Avoid polystyrene (commonly known as the brand Styrofoam) for cups, plates, carry-out containers and anything else that might touch consumables.

Any green worth his or her salt knows that polystyrene is bad for the environment: but also know that it isn't so great for your health either. Plastics marked with the recycling code 6, for polystyrene, can be fashioned into soft or rigid foams, and are in common use. Not only do they require petroleum to make, but they take eons to break down in the environment.

But what you might not know is that polystyrene can also release potentially toxic breakdown products (including styrene), particularly when heated! If you don't want harmful chemicals leaching into your food or drink, even at low concentrations, choose ceramic, glass (recycled), paper or safer plastics like numbers 1, 2 or 5.

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