Styrofoam is made from polystyrene, a petroleum-based plastic. It appeals to many companies because it is cheap, light weight, has good insulation properties, and does a good job of protecting products during shipping. These positive effects of styrofoam cannot compare to their harmful effects, however. Styrene, which is the foundational ingredient used to make polystyrene, causes irritation of the skin, eyes, upper respiratory tract, and it has gastrointestinal effects on those who are regularly around the manufacturing of the products. Styrene also has chronic effects on the nervous system, like depression, headaches, fatigue, weakness, and minor effects on kidney function. A major environmental problem with styrofoam is that it is non-biodegradable. This means that it will never go away, and due to the fact that it is also light-weight and can therefore float, it has been a main contributor to marine debris . Even though styrofoam is recyclable, many recycling companies do not accept polystyrene products. Another harmful effect that styrofoam has on the environment is  air pollution. The National Bureau of Standards Center for Fire Research found 57 chemical by-products that were released when styrofoam was created. This pollutes the air, as well as produces a lot of liquid and solid waste that must be disposed. Styrofoam is also made with HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons), which have many harmful effects on the ozone layer, and global warming. Styrofoam is also non-sustainable because it is made with petroleum, which also creates heavy pollution. Lastly, styrofoam can contaminate food, which effects human health and the reproductive system. Overall, we need to find alternatives to styrofoam, like products that have been manufactured from renewable resources, contain biodegradable materials, and are easily recycled.

I agree with you, in fact Styrofoam accounts for a large part of the 6 million to 7 million tons of drifting marine debris that is generated annually around the world.  Not only that but also, Japanese and South Korean researchers say that Styrofoam, when it decomposes, releases a group of chemicals called styrene oligomers. These include potentially endocrine-disrupting substances that affect the ocean environment. Styrofoam may be useful to us but it is so harmful to our the environment, that I think it should stop being produced altogether.