Health Ministry studying data on Styrofoam products

Jun 11, 2012 News

– said to be linked to cancer

By Keeran Danny
A group at the Ministry of Health is currently analyzing information on the health effects of polystyrene products, better known by the brand name Styrofoam, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud revealed yesterday.

Styrofoam boxes and plastic bottles improperly disposed of in a drain

According to research, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently added styrene, a chemical in polystyrene products like Styrofoam, to its “reasonably anticipated to be carcinogens” list.
Styrofoam, which is actually the trade name of a polystyrene foam product used for housing insulation. The biggest environmental health concern associated with polystyrene is the danger associated with Styrene, the basic building block of polystyrene. Chronic exposure affects the central nervous system showing symptoms such as depression, headache, fatigue, and weakness, and can cause minor effects on kidney function and blood. Styrene is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the EPA and by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
The local Health Ministry is hoping to come-up with some recommendations shortly on the use of Styrofoam products. Like many organizations it is concerned about the controlled use and importation of such products.
Dr. Persaud advised that persons should neither microwave food nor eat out of Styrofoam containers.
Former Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy believes that Guyana needs to regulate the use of Styrofoam products.
“Its use is too free in all developing countries. They need to bring some restrictions,” he said.
Although the health implications of Styrofoam are being researched locally, environmental organizations have been calling for authorities to ban or limit the importation of the material.
But according to Head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Indarjit Ramdass, banning the importation of Styrofoam products is a policy decision above his agency. He emphasized that such a decision needs to be carefully looked at.
Dr. Ramdass related there needs to be proper management of Styrofoam products particularly in its disposal.
In Guyana’s capital city, Georgetown, many waterways are clogged with Styrofoam containers and plastic bottles. The impact of this improper disposal is mostly felt during the rainy season, resulting in flooding.
According to Mayor of Georgetown Municipality, Hamilton Green, the importation of Styrofoam products should be banned because Guyana does not have legal and institutional arrangements to deal with Styrofoam and plastics.
He noted that while society and the taste of consumers have changed, waste management in Guyana has not been developed to keep pace with new living habits.
Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Narine Singh, stated that Styrofoam is bad for the environment since it is not bio-degradable. He noted that Guyana has a poor history of managing waste. He also added that Styrofoam cannot be recycled.
Without recommending the material should be banned, Dr. Singh pointed out that Nigeria banned the use of Styrofoam because of waste management issues.