CAP welcomes Polystyrene ban In Penang

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) welcomes the Penang State Government’s decision to enforce a ban on polystyrene starting 1st January, 2011.  The ban is expected to cover all food premises and temporary hawking sites owned by local councils in the State.

The ruling is indeed laudable because the biggest environmental health concern associated with polystyrene is the danger associated with styrene, the basic building block of polystyrene. Styrene is classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

According to the World Health Organization’s Environmental Health Criteria on styrene, analytical surveys of food and food packaging had shown that styrene migrates into food from both rigid and expanded polystyrene foam containers. Among other sources, low level exposure of styrene amongst the general population would be through intake of food that has been in contact with styrene-containing polymers.

Polystyrene, popularly known as Styrofoam, containers are commonly used for food and drinks at eateries and also packaging of fresh produce in supermarkets.  Besides posing health impacts, the non-biodegradable polystyrene pollutes our environment and contributes to mounting waste generation.   

In view of the health and environmental impacts posed by polystyrene, a ban on polystyrene should be expanded nationwide and other establishments besides food premises.  We urge the Federal government, industry and businesses to immediately phase out and ban the use of polystyrene.  Initiatives must be taken by all parties and consumers to switch to alternative safer materials.

Press Release – 13 July 2010