Greater danger than dirty crockery in coffee shops
-
Jan 10, 2012 - ST Forum
I AM surprised by Mr Ho Chee Khuen's letter ('Eight dirty reasons he's resorted to takeaways'; last Thursday).
Granted, some coffee shops do not provide impeccably clean eating utensils, but there is a hidden danger that is far more dangerous than dirty utensils.
Nowadays, it is not uncommon to find solid polystyrene used in disposable cutlery, yoghurt containers, and outside housing of computers and hairdryers. The ubiquitous polystyrene is used in packing materials, insulation and foam drink cups.
When food is heated in a polystyrene container, the monomer is extracted and enters the digestive system of the consumer. Styrene is toxic and a known carcinogen. This causes additional concerns when used for food and beverage packaging. Polystyrene takes a long time to disintegrate; its natural decomposition takes about 500 years.
Polystyrene contains the toxic substances styrene and benzene, suspected carcinogens and neurotoxins that are hazardous to humans. Hot food actually starts a partial breakdown of the styrofoam, causing some toxins to be absorbed into our bloodstream and tissue.
The fact that styrene can adversely affect humans in several ways raises serious public health and safety questions regarding its build-up in human tissue.
In short, do not use polystyrene for food containers, but use the porcelain cups and plates as such reusable containers will be less harmful to our body.
Heng Cho Choon
-
Polystyrene foam is indeed quite bad. Eat off melamine-formaldehyde resin plates - being a thermosetting plastic, melamine-formeldehyde will not break down and enter food. However, please don't try to melt it.
Solution: bring a tiffin carrier or your own Tupperware for takeaways.
Solved.
-
worse is. they charge 20cts for takeaway in such containers.
-
best don't eat out cook at home lor.
-
yup...or bring your spoon and bowls to the food court
-
I once accidentaly ate a small bit of styrofoam while eating mixed rice from a styrofoam container. Thank god, I am still alive today.
-
Originally posted by MagnificientDiagrams:
I once accidentaly ate a small bit of styrofoam while eating mixed rice from a styrofoam container. Thank god, I am still alive today.
A bit won't kill you. But long-term exposure is the danger. As the Malays say, "Sedikit-sedikit, lama-lama, jadi bukit."
-
Originally posted by MagnificientDiagrams:
I once accidentaly ate a small bit of styrofoam while eating mixed rice from a styrofoam container. Thank god, I am still alive today.
can eat more next time, melamin is cheaper.
-
i also eat a bit of styrofoam.
last time i cut my chicken cultlet, by accident cut through the box
-
The youngs are eating melamin as part of their diets.