Polystyrene

Protocols evaluated by Rita C. C. Duarte, on 2014 / 08

Product applications

Polystyrene is used in protective packaging of food and electronic materials; in containers, lids, bottles, trays, glasses, cutlery;^1-9 in building materials, medical material, toys, furniture and electronic devices.^5-7,9 It is also used in helmets and children's car seats;⁸ as an insulator;^5,8-10 in the manufacture of plastics; and as rubber or synthetic resin.¹⁰

References:

(1) StyroMelt, http://www.polystyrenerecycle.com/ (accessed May 2013).

(2) American Chemistry Council, http://plastics.americanchemistry.com/Education-Resources/Hands-on-Plastics/Introduction-to-Plastics-Science-Teaching-Resources/History-of-Polymers-Plastics-for-Teachers.html (accessed May 2013).

(3) Encyclopædia Britannica - polystyrene, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/469114/polystyrene (accessed December 2015).

(4) Earth Resource Foundation, http://www.earthresource.org/campaigns/capp/capp-styrofoam.html (accessed December 2015).

(5) PSPC – Polystyrene Packaging Council, http://www.polystyrenepackaging.co.za/polystyreneapplications.htm (accessed December 2015).

(6) EPA – United States Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.epa.gov/ttnchie1/ap42/ch06/final/c06s06-3.pdf (accessed December 2015).

(7) Sevas Educational Society, http://www.sbioinformatics.com/design_thesis/Polystyrene/polystyrene_Properties&uses.pdf (accessed December 2015).

(8) Expanded Polystyrene Australia, http://www.epsa.org.au/about-eps/what-is-eps/uses (accessed May 2013).

(9) StyroTech, http://www.polystyreneps.com/uses.php (accessed December 2015).

(10) The Merck Index, http://themerckindex.cambridgesoft.com/themerckindex/Forms/Home/ContentArea/Home.aspx (accessed April 2013).