Monday, March 06, 2006
Ban on use of styro containers sought
BAGUIO City Councilors Galo Weygan and Pinky Rondez are seeking a prohibition on the use of polystyrene foam (PSF) or styrofoam food and drink containers as packaging material for prepared foods in fast-food outlets, restaurants, groceries, supermarkets, stores and other food service establishments in the city.
In a proposed ordinance, Weygan and Rondez said styrofoam is made up of petroleum, a substance that is "non-sustainable," "heavily polluting" and "disappearing" and dangerous to human's health.
"According to reliable and available scientific studies, PSF contains a contaminant chemical called styrene - the single molecule form of polystyrene that usually migrates into and beverages from polystyrene food containers. Studies also suggest that styrene mimics estrogen in the body and can therefore disrupt normal hormone functions, possibly contributing to thyroid problem, menstrual irregularities and other hormone-related problem as well as breast cancer and prostate cancer," the duo said.
Apart from being a health-risk, PSF is also a non-biodegradable material and "takes up too much space in landfills or waste disposal sites and is therefore environmentally unfriendly as it is costly in environmental management."
To date, the two councilors said there is no available recycling program for this type of waste in the city. They said even McDonalds and Jollibee food firms, which used to be highly dependent on PSF, have recognized the health and environmental perils of the PSF substance and had stopped from using the material.
They said the long-term use and constant exposure to small amounts of foreign substances like "styrene-mimic hormones" found in styrofoam containers will endanger the health of the residents. This should be averted especially considering that the cost of maintaining health and good environment is high, they said.
According to them, a ban on the use and sale of the material could be the most effective way of preventing health and environment hazard.
As proposed, the prohibition will be effective Jan. 1, 2008 to cover retail food vendors, fast-food outlets, restaurants, groceries, supermarkets, stores and other food service establishments. (AR)
(March 6, 2006 issue)
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