I REFER to the report “Johor to ban use of polystyrene and plastic” (NST, April 18).
More states should emulate this move and ban polystyrene and plastics. Penang has banned the use of polystyrene containers since December 2012, followed by Malacca in September last year.
The Subang Jaya Municipal Council has banned traders from using polystyrene containers to pack food in Ramadan bazaars.
Perak, too, plans to ban the two items.
For most local councils, the reason is to reduce pollution and move towards more sustainable practices.
Why ban them? They are not environmentally friendly. Plastic bags are not biodegradable.
Hygiene is also an issue when used plastic bags are strewn all over recreational parks and sidewalks.
The use of polystyrene food containers and plastic bags for
hot, edible items is also a health hazard.
There are hawkers and traders who still use polystyrene containers and plastic bags to pack food.
They even use them to pack hot beverages.
This is a health issue.
When plastic and polystyrene food containers come in contact with high temperature, it will cause chemical migration between the food and plastic.
Many studies have been conducted on the health risks associated with polystyrene food containers and plastics.
According to a report by the Foundation for Achievements in Science and Education, long-term exposure to small quantities of styrene can cause low platelet count (or haemoglobin values), chromosomal and lymphatic abnormalities.
This is due to the accumulation of styrene in the tissues of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves, resulting in fatigue, nervousness, difficulty in sleeping, and other complications associated with the nervous system.
The danger of polystyrene and plastic bags is not just to us, but also other living entities.
This is especially true when more and more styrofoam food containers and plastic bags are discarded and pollute the environment.
Is that not enough reason to ban them? We should start now.
Nur Zharifah Mohd Nornaskhi, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia