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What Are the Dangers of Styrofoam in the Microwave?

Styrofoam is the brand name of polystyrene, a type of molded plastic; Dow Chemical Co. holds the trademark. It is available as a white foam or clear plastic and goes into the manufacture of numerous household and industrial items, including packing materials, cups, plates and utensils. Styrofoam remains solid at room temperature but melts at excessive heat, solidifying again once cooled. The material has seen a tremendous surge in demand in the recent past, owing to its versatility of applications and cost-effectiveness. While the material offers numerous practical benefits, it is associated with ever-increasing health and environmental risks.

  1. Styrene

    • Styrene, an essential component of Styrofoam, is a toxic organic compound found in all polystyrene-based products. According to Mark A. Schauss in the book “Achieving Victory Over a Toxic World,” styrene is a possible cancer-causing substance, a neurotoxin and endocrine disruptor. The substance leaks into food that is microwaved in Styrofoam containers, exposing people to its harmful health effects. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration, exposure to styrene vapors irritates the nose and eyes and causes dizziness, confusion, headaches, fatigue and labored concentration. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency contends that styrene leaks into beverages and food microwaved in Styrofoam containers. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies styrene as a carcinogen, a substance that causes cancer.

    Benzene

    • Benzene, an organic chemical compound, is another essential component of Styrofoam. It migrates into packaged foods, cheeses, poultry and meat when they are microwaved in Styrofoam containers. Benzene ingestion causes drowsiness, convulsions, dizziness, headaches, malaise, vomiting, irregular heartbeat and, in rare cases, death. According to Teresa Holler in the book “Holler for your Health,” benzene is the most toxic component of Styrofoam and leads to skin scaling, convulsions, coma and leukemia. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services classifies benzene as a carcinogen.

    Methyl Chloride

    • Microwaving food in Styrofoam containers releases odorless, colorless methyl chloride gas. The gas causes dizziness, headaches and even death in larger doses. Short-term exposure causes neurological problems and affects the heart rate, kidneys, liver, blood pressure and other essential organs. Long-term effects of methyl chloride exposure include damage to the central nervous system, spleen, kidney and liver. IARC classifies methyl chloride as a “Group 3--unclassifiable as to carcinogenicity in humans."

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