Polystyrene (PS) is so harmful that Hong Kong is actively looking for alternative materials for fish boxes
Researchers in Hong Kong are working to cut off a major source of marine plastic: polystyrene (PS) plastic foam boxes widely used in the fishing industry. Scientific research shows that PS is harmful to both marine life and human health, but the fishery industry has been slow to respond. The problem is that if alternative materials want to be widely used, they must be as easy to use and cheap as PS. The most typical PS product is a white foam-like material called foam plastic, which is widely used in various food containers, coffee cups, bean bags, and even insulation materials. An industry report shows that as one of the most commonly used materials in the world, PS production reached 17.5 million tons in 2014. Among them, more than 40% are consumed in the Asia-Pacific region. Dr. Chelsea Rochman, a marine ecologist from the University of Toronto, said: "If we can avoid using one plastic product, it should be polystyrene. Styrofoam plastic is the most common type of garbage that washes up on the coast. The material is not sustainable, so there is no reason to continue using it.” The problem starts with production. PS is made from the polymerization of two raw materials, styrene and benzene, and is made into foamed plastic after foaming treatment. It is well known that both styrene and benzene are carcinogens. In addition, toxic flame retardants are sometimes added to foam plastic products. These toxic substances will leach out of plastic products during the heating process, so environmentalists around the world recommend not using PS in food packaging. american events