Styrofoam is a trademark name for polystyrene thermal insulation material, manufactured by Dow Chemical Company. For other uses, see Polystyrene (disambiguation). ... Thermal insulation on the Huygens probe The term thermal insulation can refer to materials used to reduce the rate of heat transfer, or the methods and processes used to reduce heat transfer. ... The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW TYO: 4850) is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Midland, Michigan. ...

In the early 1940s, Dow invented a process for extruding polystyrene to achieve a closed cell foam that resists moisture. In recognition of its insulating properties, buoyancy and "unsinkability," it was originally adopted in 1942 by the Coast Guard for use in a six-man life raft. Styrofoam can be used for building materials including insulated sheathing, pipe insulation and floral and craft products. Styrofoam insulation has been used in many notable buildings and facilities in North America. ^[1] The Dow product can be identified by its distinctive blue color. Sea foam on the beach Foam on a cappuccino Fire-retardant, foamed plastic being used as a temporary dam for firestop mortar in a cable penetration in a pulp and paper mill on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. ... Dew on a spider web Moldy bread Moisture generally refers to the presence of water, often in trace amounts. ... A coast guard is a national organization responsible for various services at sea. ... For the 1944 movie, see Lifeboat (movie). ...

Styrofoam can be used underneath roads and other structures to prevent soil disturbances due to seasonal freeze-thaw cycles.^[2]

The word styrofoam is sometimes misused by the general public in the United States and Canada as a generic term to indicate polystyrene foam, such as coffee cups, cooler or packaging material are typically white in color and are made of expanded polystyrene beads. A genericized trademark, generic trade mark, generic descriptor, or proprietary eponym, is a trademark or brand name which has become the colloquial or generic description for a particular class of product or service. ... For other uses, see Polystyrene (disambiguation). ...

Disadvantages to Styrofoam

Styrofoam is widely used for packaging and for holding hot drinks; however, people don't realize how much damage they are really doing every time they use styrofoam. First, one reason that you shouldn't use styrofoam is because of the effects it has on your body. In a study of human fat biopsies, it was found that Styrene residues were present in every single sample. Styrene is transfered easily to your food or drink from the Styrofoam container it is in. There are many health issues that can come from having Styrene in your body.

Some known possible health issues because of Styrene include:

• Hormone function disruptions
• Low platelet count
• Abnormalities in chromosomes
• Creation of neurotoxic effects (fatigue, insomnia, and other diseases related with the nervous system)

Another reason that Styrofoam is not a good choice is that it is extremely hazardous to the environment. Styrofoam cannot be melted, and although it is possible to burn it, the combustion of styrofoam creates toxic fumes that are then added to the atmosphere. All that one can do to dispose of styrofoam is throw it out, - it piles up in landfills - styrofoam is not biodegradable. While sitting in landfills, the styrofoam leaks its styrene residues into the earth where they infect the new plants that otherwise would grow there.

Styrofoam is very toxic and causes unbelievable negative effects on the environment, and on your health.

See also

• List of generic and genericized trademarks
• Polystyrene
• Structural insulated panel
• Resin identification code
• Thermal insulation
• Building insulation

For a list of generic and genericized trademarks in languages other than English, see List of non-English generic and genericized trademarks. ... For other uses, see Polystyrene (disambiguation). ... Structural insulated panels (or structural insulating panels), SIPs, are a composite building material. ... Sorted household plastic waiting to be hauled away for reprocessing. ... Thermal insulation on the Huygens probe The term thermal insulation can refer to materials used to reduce the rate of heat transfer, or the methods and processes used to reduce heat transfer. ... Common insulation applications inside an apartment building in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. ...

References

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 242nd day of the year (243rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Dow Chemical Company Styrofoam page
• Californians Against Waste article on Expanded Polystyrene