Polystyrene health effects

Plastic products are known to eventually break down into smaller and smaller pieces (nanoparticles) until they are small enough to enter the cells of living organisms. Because the amount of discarded plastic is so substantial, nanoplastic particles pose an emerging environmental concern. The health effects of nanoplastics are not thoroughly understood, but polystyrene particles up to 240 nm in diameter have been proven to be transportable through placental cells [52],... 

Benzene is one of the major chemicals produced by the petroleum industry. More than 1.6 billion gallons are produced each year by cracking and reforming various petroleum fractions. Most of this is used in the production of styrene, which is then polymerized to polystyrene. Other arenes that are made in large amounts include toluene (830 million gallons), cumene, o-xylene, and p-xylene. At one time, benzene was an important solvent in the organic laboratory. Recently, however, its use has been phased out because of its potential adverse health effects. Long exposure to benzene has been shown to lead to bone marrow depression and leukemia. 

Brown DM, Wilson MR, MacNee W, Stone V, Donaldson K (2001) Size-dependent proinflammatory effects of ultrafine polystyrene particles a role for surface area and oxidative stress in the enhanced activity of ultrafines. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 175 191-199 Brunkreef B, Holgate ST (2002) Air pollution and health. Lancet 360 1233-1242 Chen H, Goldberg MS, Villeneuve PJ (2008) A systematic review of the relation between longterm exposure to ambient air pollution and chronic diseases. Rev Environ Health 23 243-297 Churg A, Brauer M (1997) Human lung parenchyma retains PM2.5. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 155 2109-2111... 

Exfoliating scrubs are used to remove dead surface cells and allo w other products, such as essential oils, to penetrate the skin more effectively. These are principally suspensions of some kind of particles that are intended to do the exfoliating. Examples include ground pumice, microbeads, ground nut shells (such as walnut) and ground fruit seeds (such as apricot). Other additives may include oils, salts and scents. Some environmental and health concerns about the use of microscale polystyrene beads as exfoliating agents have been noted in Section 8.6. 

The teacher uses plastic bags, polystyrene boxes and plastic food wares as example of polymers and explaining the monomers that form these polymers, the chemical process involved and the benefits and harmful effects of these polymers to human health and the environment. 

Pressures to introduce restrictive legislation in Europe have eased as the debate has moved from the political arena to focus on assessment and management of risk. The main health and environment issue centres on halogen-based FRs, for possible formation of dioxin-related products such as brominated dioxins/furans by polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBBE) under combustion conditions. These are very effective flame retardants and are widely used in polystyrene, polyethylene and polypropylene. Only a few of 75 identified brominated dioxin ionomers and 135 brominated furan ionomers are toxic, and they are only present in low concentrations in combustion. Less-toxic furans tend to be formed more than dioxins, and brominated dioxine/furans are less toxic than their chlorinated counterparts. 

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