Lethal Lunch | Teen Ink

Lethal Lunch MAG

By Anonymous

     Styrofoam is derived from polystyrene, which contains styrene. According to Vanity Fair’s Green Issue and National Geographic’s thegreenguide.com, styrene poses a potential health threat - especially to young children.

Studies suggest that styrene may act like the hormone estrogen in the body, disrupting normal hormone functions and possibly affecting reproduction. Styrene mimics the body’s natural hormones when absorbed by the skin, throwing off normal hormone levels. It is also considered a possible human carcinogen, or cancer-causing substance. So not only may Styrofoam mess with hormone levels, it can cause a deadly disease as well. The absorption of styrene into the body increases when the substance comes into contact with food that’s hot or high in fat.

By drinking coffee from a ceramic mug, and not a Styrofoam cup, you can not only eliminate the health risk but also protect the environment from a substance that takes hundreds of years to decompose.

Girls are getting their periods earlier and earlier, which has been attributed to altered hormone levels. But don’t think that only girls are affected; “precocious puberty” has shown up in young boys due to problematic hormone changes, according to Vanity Fair. However, unless a school has the money to become green, it’s up to individuals to protect themselves against such hazards.

The real debate is the dilemma between health and money. My school’s financial advisor says the school should consider this issue immediately. He does not believe that paper cups and plates could cost much more than Styrofoam (1,000 cups cost $14.29, and 1,000 plates cost $30). According to Costco.com, 1,000 paper cups cost $70, and 1,000 paper plates cost $29.55. However, paper cups would be unnecessary if everyone drank bottled water, milk from the paper cartons, and coffee from ceramic mugs. Students pay to go to my school, so if the students don’t want Styrofoam, we can get rid of it.



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This article has 6 comments.


i love this so much!

on Apr. 19 2013 at 8:50 pm
Norway early 1800's girls didn't get their periods until 17. 

on Apr. 5 2011 at 9:08 am
AmillamissPriscilla GOLD, Randolph, Maine
12 articles 0 photos 15 comments

Favorite Quote:
Do what you love in the most adventurous way and make sure it helps people.

you state such great point in the report. I want my school to go green, too bad they are too republican to care. Anyway... Cancer can be caused by so many things, so it never keeps you clean from it. And you can get cancer from certain types of water bottles/plastics, and some schools don't allow mugs or water bottles unless they are clear/white. so there is no color and you can see the substance. The only real water bottles you can find like that are recyclable and still bad for the enviornment. Paper plates can also be bad, harsh chemicals go into making them and it kils trees, so that is always a flaw. But here are the facts; there is nothing good with styrofoam.

lollypops GOLD said...
on Mar. 1 2011 at 2:55 pm
lollypops GOLD, Pilot, Virginia
16 articles 5 photos 218 comments

Favorite Quote:
Live

well written i had no idea

Bethani GOLD said...
on Sep. 26 2010 at 6:04 pm
Bethani GOLD, Highlands Ranch, Colorado
10 articles 0 photos 508 comments

Favorite Quote:
Life is perfect until you sit back and realize how boring it is without risks.

Wow! I had no idea. This is really informative. :)

on Mar. 10 2010 at 9:21 pm
BasketballChick5, San Diego, California
0 articles 1 photo 114 comments

Favorite Quote:
:)Just Do It:) <3

I agree with this....good job but getting your periods earlier and earlier...that must be an opion!