Styrofoam can cause cancer — solon

Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino is seeking a ban o the use of food containers made of styrofoam in public and private school canteens, saying styrofoam packaging produces dioxins that cause a wide range of illnesses, including male and female reproductive problems, diabetes and hormonal disorders.

Palatino, author of House Bill 6798, also cited studies showing styrofoam as one cause of cancer, adding that expanded polystyrene has a key component called styrene, which both the US Environmental Protection Agency and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified as a possible human carcinogen.

Expanded polystyrene is non-biodegradable and it resists compacting, thus taking up extra landfill space for long period of time, according to Palatino.

“Continued use of polystyrene damages the environment, and it is manifested in the perennial problem of waste management in the country,” Palatino said.

Under Palatino’s bill, all food service establishments such as canteens, cafeteria, dining hall or eatery inside the school premises would be prohibited from selling food packed or served using food containers or packages made of expanded polystyrene food service products. Charlie V. Manalo, Daily Tribune