[Chinese Packaging Network News] research found that styrene - foam cups and other food packaging materials, may cause cancer.
Styrene is a widely used compound in resins and plastics, but is best known for its polymer, polystyrene, which is widely used in plastic foam products. For decades, industry leaders have insisted that styrene-based products, especially those used in food packaging, are safe.
Styrene is an endocrine disruptor that may mimic estrogen and drive tumor growth. A team of 10 experts in the fields of medicine, chemistry and toxicology assessed the risk of carcinogenicity of styrene. Since 2000, they have been actively working to assess the health hazards of plastics and styrene.
Styrene is not only a possible carcinogen, she said. At the same time plastic foam products can also contaminate waterways and tourist attractions because it is not easily broken down. Other research groups have also been working hard to remove plastic foam from food packaging, especially packaging for warm foods because hot foods cause styrene to leach.