HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0107.201 2016-2018 CL
From: Diane Koerner • : 'T
To: Council Testimony COUNTY OF HAWAII
Subject: Testimony on Bill 13-Ban on polystyrene take-out containers
Date: Tuesday,September 05,2017 9:14:28 AM 2M1 SEP -5 AU I,: 48
Is Styrofoam safe for our environment or for ourselves?I don't believe so, and the county
could make a significant stride in saving both the health of our environment and the health of
our people by banning these take-out containers. Plate lunches are very popular here, as are
hot drinks served in styrofoam cups, but I would never eat or drink hot food out of these
containers for fear of styrene leaching into the food.
According to Dr. Andrew Weil, polystyrene foam cups and plates contain styrene—a chemical
compound classified by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) as "reasonably anticipated to
be a carcinogen," and by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a"possible
human carcinogen."
Beyond that, styrene also has been associated with respiratory problems among workers
exposed to it as well as with"styrene sickness," a combination of headache, fatigue and
feelings of drunkenness. Styrene causes lung tumors in several strains of mice.
Evidence suggests that styrene can leach out of foam food containers and cups when food or
drinks are hot, which.is the case with most take-out food on this island. So why not just switch
to biodegradable paper cups and plates and containers that also pose no risk to the
environment? According to The National Resources Defense Council, and as we are all aware,
polystyrene foam from coffee cups and other food containers are clogging landfills and
turning up in the ocean, where sea birds and marine animals swallow it.
You, the council members,will be doing the environment(and possibly your health) a favor
by passing the ban on polystyrene take-out containers.
Mahalo,
Diane Koerner
GREEENER HAWAII Board Member
14-5027 Kapoho Beach Road
Pahoa, HI 96778
808-965-9519
Comm No.
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