The danger of polysterol foam myth or reality

The options available to us when it comes to insulating our homes can be intimidating. There are lots of choices to think about, ranging from cellulose to fiberglass. However, polystyrene foam, also known as Styrofoam, is one substance that has generated discussion in recent years. Proponents highlight its affordability and efficiency, while detractors point out possible health and environmental hazards.

Is it safe to use polystyrene foam for insulation in homes? is the main question that many homeowners have. We need to examine all facets of its construction, implementation, and long-term effects in order to respond to this. There are still some lingering questions and misperceptions about this material despite its widespread use, which calls for a closer look at the real world versus the made-up world.

First and foremost, it’s important to comprehend what polystyrene foam is and how it works. This substance is a kind of plastic made from petroleum byproduct styrene. It is a well-liked option for both residential and commercial insulation projects because of its well-known lightweight design and outstanding insulating qualities. However, environmental and health experts are concerned about its chemical composition and potential for off-gassing.

The possibility that polystyrene foam will eventually release dangerous chemicals into the atmosphere is one of the primary issues with it. Critics contend that as the foam ages, it may release harmful substances and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), endangering human health and indoor air quality. Concerns have also been raised regarding its role in environmental pollution, specifically regarding its ability to leak dangerous compounds into soil and water sources and its continued presence in landfills.

Despite these concerns, supporters of polystyrene foam insulation claim that there are very few risks if the material is installed and maintained correctly. They argue that its overall environmental footprint may be smaller than that of alternative insulation materials and highlight its strength, resistance to moisture, and energy-saving qualities. Nonetheless, the argument rages on, with divergent research and viewpoints igniting the dispute.

Safety regulations

Regretfully, giving up the use of foams isn’t always an option, but there are ways to reduce the damage:

• Do not use in internal insulation of residential premises and premises with constant stay of personnel.
• Do not use in insulation systems with ventilation gap.
• With an external “wet” method of insulation, perform work in accordance with the technology of the material manufacturer.
• Insulation of the ceilings perform from non -residential premises, do not warm the foam of the ceiling of the balcony or loggia by the polystyrene foam.
• Purchase high -quality material from a trusted manufacturer or in a large retail network, when buying, require a certificate of conformity.

The best applications for the material are in the areas where there is no direct human contact, such as the insulation of subterranean buildings, refrigerators, and roads, bridges, and airfield runways.

General recommendations

For foam poom work to be simple, enjoyable, and secure, a few basic guidelines need to be adhered to:

1. Work with foam poom should be carried out at plus temperatures within 5-30 Celsius. Violation of the temperature regime can affect the quality of thermal insulation.
2. Penopolex poorly tolerates the effects of some organic substances and solvents-white spirit, creosot, acetone, which simply corrode it. Therefore, when working, you need to use special adhesive compounds or mounting glue-pen without toluene.
3. For convenience, it is better to choose corrugated rough slabs, which provide increased adhesion with insulated surfaces. This is especially important when it comes to insulation of buildings from smooth foam and gas blocks.
4. When buying, you should pay attention to the quality of the heat -insulating stove. It should be even, dense, without cracks and chips. She shouldn"t smell. The smells of chemistry indicate that the heat insulator was produced with gross violations of technological norms. Products should be stored in a closed warehouse, have all the necessary sanitary-hygienic, environmental and fire certificates. Marking should contain complete information about the manufacturer, as well as a detailed description of the heat engineering and physical and mechanical properties of products. It is better to choose a foam -polex enriched with antipyreents – it has a letter with.

What the experts say

Naturally, I would prefer that the opinions of those who are conducting research support all of our arguments.

The production manager of the "Sunpor" plant in Austria, Roman Eberstaller, states:

Polystyrene foam has been in use for nearly fifty years in Europe. Because it is used for thermal insulation in buildings as well as for packaging fragile items, food, and medications, no one has been able to match this material in terms of economy and environmental friendliness in the past few years. Our material is frequently used by European consumers to package foods and medications. There are extremely high standards for quality in these circumstances. The strongest proof that polystyrene foam poses no harm to humans or the environment comes from this.

Is it true that the argument seems convincing? Is it really worth it to be afraid to insulate the house’s walls when we aren’t afraid to remove candy from the supermarket’s shelves, which are made of foam?

"This is the strongest proof that polystyrene foam poses no harm to people or the environment."

One could make the following counterargument in reverse order of importance:

• People invented excellent, economical and, it seems, not harmful plastic. But, the salons of expensive cars are finished with genuine leather;
• People came up with inexpensive chipboard. MDF, but, expensive furniture, as before, is made of natural wood.

They caught the essence? All modern technologies are mainly aimed at the economy of solutions. And this means that natural remains the highest quality. To expect environmentally friendly polystyrene is not quite honest. But, no one has canceled the issue of finances. And polystyrene foam remains the most in the ratio of price-quality. This means that making decisions is necessary taking into account financial capabilities. If you carefully have not chosen a place on the planet for residence, do not read the food books and do not play for sports every day, is unlikely to foam insulation will be the worst enemy of your family. If you are scrupulous and even pedantically, you should focus on choosing a more natural insulation. Although the conversation about the harmfulness of the foam could be continued, there are already plenty of thoughts for reflection.

Please keep in mind the children’s example from the article’s opening. We can now clearly see that the harm caused by foam is not a question for kids. Nevertheless, we possess the knowledge and information necessary to decide on our own house.

Some of the foam’s qualities are displayed in the video below. The guys come to the conclusion that the foam poses no health risks in it. However, it is obvious how toxic it is when it melts.

The influence of foamolast on human health

Consumers have been troubled by concerns regarding the potential health risks associated with polystyrene foam since its initial use. These disputes kept coming up with every new foam-based finishing and building material.

Proponents of polystyrene foam use scientists, including chemists, physicists, and material scholars, as evidence for the validity of their research. In a situation where it is not affected by outside factors, polostyrol foam essentially has no environmental interaction.

It has an extremely stable molecular structure. The aforementioned experiments demonstrate that polystyrene foam is unable to identify any hazardous materials when exposed to normal human conditions. In actuality, he doesn’t draw attention to any drugs.

You need not be concerned about the negative health effects of polystyrene foam if you use it between -40°C and +40°C.

Critics of the use of polystyrene foam point out that styrene can still be highlighted. even in the most extreme circumstances rather than in typical ones. The effects of elevated temperatures are commonly referred to as extreme conditions. In fact, polystyrene foam, like a lot of other materials, can identify a lot of harmful compounds when it burns, with styrene being one of the most dangerous.

The impact of styrene on an individual:

• dizziness;
• irritation of the mucous membrane of the eyes;
• high concentration lead to damage to the lungs and even fatal poisoning;
• the work of kidneys, liver, hematopoiesis systems is violated;
• oncology.

It is important to remember that styrene cannot be released from polystyrene foam under normal human operating conditions. Styrol is only released during the burning of foam.

The original polystyrene composition was highly combined. The foam was capable of independently maintaining surface combustion and spreading fire at temperatures higher than 210 °C. Because of this, antipyrene—substances that limit ignition and flame distribution—is now used in the production of polystyrene foam for finishing and construction.

This made it feasible to raise the ignition temperature to 440 °C and decrease the combustibility. Furthermore, the majority of contemporary polystyrene foam products prevent independent combustion and do not permit flames to spread.

The health risks associated with highly concentrated styrene are significant. However, it is important to keep in mind that, given the proper operating procedures and fire safety measures, it is unlikely that styrene will leak out of polystyrene foam.

It is a fact that many everyday products such as coffee, tea, cheese, cinnamon, strawberries, and so on naturally contain sorbol, which can be harmful in large quantities but harmless in smaller ones.

Polystyrene foam melting

Roof insulation is one instance of a polystyrene foam application that is permitted. Yes, manufacturers recommend polystyrene foam-based materials as excellent roof insulation; however, keep in mind that roofs, especially those made of metal, can get very hot in the sun. The risk of stitching styrene will persist even though the breakdown of polystyrene foam starts at a temperature significantly higher than the temperature at which the roof can be heated naturally. For roof insulation, mineral wool and comparable materials are preferable.

The negative impact of polystyrene foam on human health is also linked to improper application of the material in décor rather than specific characteristics of the material itself. Although polistyle foam is a very popular heat insulator, it does not pass moisture or steam well. People occasionally use polystyrene foams to insulate the walls between their apartments and the street from the inside due to ignorance or financial constraints.

This is a dangerous situation because the warm, humid air from the house condenses right under the foam where it meets a cold wall. Because the concrete surface of the wall is continuously damp, fungus and black mold—both of which pose a serious allergy risk—will eventually grow on it. In addition to other illnesses, chronic bronchitis and asthma can be exacerbated by black mold.

Only outside the apartment can the walls be insulated with polystyrene foam to avoid preventing the formation of condensation.

Polistyle foam what is it

This same polystyrene-based foam is known as Polistyle foam. It is employed in the construction of residential buildings, technical spaces, and other structures.

Almost 98% polystyrene foam consists of air.

Polystyrene foam has an almost infinite service life and is a good material for thermal insulation. This particular kind of raw material has a low heat conductivity and has proven to be useful over time.

So let’s investigate: Is polystyrene harmful to human health, or is this material actually that good?

Though there are wide differences in opinion on this topic, an objective analysis of the problem must consider both the environmental impact of polystyrene foam and its technical properties. Think about the following main points:

• does not contain fibers, which means that it is excluded to enter its particles into lungs. But of course, when using polystyrene foam and its installation, you need to use protection products;
• not subject to the fungus, as it has moisture resistance;
• does not attract rodents, as it is inedible for them;
• It protects at home from cold, bacteria, moisture;
• does not pass air and promotes the normal movement of air flows and air circulation.

According to the aforementioned qualities, polystyrene foam does not specifically harm anyone; however, every material has advantages and disadvantages. Polystyrene foam burns and releases smoke that can suffocate people as well as harmful compounds into the air.

Inhaling this poisonous smoke also has detrimental effects on nearby humans, animals, and the ecosystem.

Scientists studying fire safety in Russia came to this conclusion.

Whatever the reason, the appearance of smoke of any kind has a detrimental effect on a person and may have unfavorable effects. As such, it is not possible to rule out the possibility of this material causing harm.

You are unable to provide a definitive response to the query of whether polystyrene foam poses a health risk to people. It is vital to research the primary features, intended use, and evaluations of experts in the construction industry before deciding to use a specific material.

Where it is safe to use polystyrene foam

1. in places where there are no potential foci of fire;
2. in non -residential premises;
3. use for external insulation of the basement, foundation,
   insulation of the frame house with polystyrene on the outside.

As you can see, the insulation within the house is unacceptable. Installing insulation beneath a polystyrene slate will only be safe when done in a non-residential attic with adequate ventilation.

Once more, we observe that the concentration of the polystyrene foam—rather than the styling itself—is what poses a risk when answering the question of whether it is harmful inside the room. Polistyle foam is a fairly safe decorative material, but heating residential spaces with it is not advised.

Conclusion

Since the environmental aspect of their products is not regulated by GOSTs and SNiPs, sellers of polystyrene foam are free to mention them when marketing their products. the application of this type of thermal insulation.

Tags: Polystyrene foam

Styrela concentration

When determining whether polystyrene poses a health risk, this indicator is critical. By itself, the polymer is safe. Only a high concentration of the original substance, styrene, can be harmful to the body. Stirol is defined as "substances of the third hazard class—moderately hazardous substances" in GOST 12.1.005. Copper, aluminum, alcohol, and silver compounds are more recognizable to us.

Stirol and its polymers are comparable to the same berries and nuts that contain them in terms of danger. They are not only delicious but also beneficial if taken in reasonable amounts. Negative effects may result from consuming these products in excess.

Disadvantages of the foam complex when using it as a heater

The degree of vapor permeability—the ability of the insulation to breathe—is one of the key properties of materials used as insulation. Any kind of polystyrene cannot claim to have this capability. When this building material is used, gas exchange procedures are violated.

The areas of the room where moisture accumulation is seen are caused to appear by violations of gas exchange. These locations typically arise in areas with disrupted or nonexistent proper ventilation.

When there is an increase in humidity, surfaces become infected by fungi, which encourages the growth of mold.

A room with surface mold is a breeding ground for fungal disputes.

Fungal infections that infiltrate the human body can lead to the emergence of certain pulmonary illnesses and dysfunctions in other bodily systems.

These illnesses and conditions include:

• asthma and other ailments of the respiratory system;
• disturbances in the digestive system;
• Attacks of severe long -term headache similar to migraine;
• the appearance of internal bleeding is possible;
• Violations in the work of most internal organs.

The organisms of children and women who are pregnant or nursing are especially susceptible. The child’s body is delicate, and the fungus’s spores can harm both the expectant mother’s body and the growing fetus of the child, which makes them dangerous for pregnant women.

An additional disadvantage of foamyplex is its high level of combustibility. Burning foam releases compounds that can poison humans and even accelerate the development of cancerous diseases. Fire during a fire is dangerous in and of itself.

Given all these drawbacks, it is advisable to avoid using polystyrene foam in any room renovation project that involves insulation. The most effective way to use foam is to insulate buildings and other structures externally.

Poli -polystyrene extruded harm or environmental friendliness

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Advantages of thermal insulation material

One advantage of polystyrene foam is its low cost, which is a factor that should not be overlooked when selecting a material. From an economic perspective, it is the most profitable heat insulator when compared to many others. particularly when you weigh its price against its indisputable benefits. Moreover, polystyrene foam is an elastic and robust material that makes installation a lot easier. Therefore, when cutting it without the use of special tools, the heat insulator is applied to any form. All you need to do this is use an ordinary knife or small saw.

Comparison of different materials’ thicknesses that have the same heat transfer resistance.

This substance is not poisonous or radioactive. It does not contain any toxic fibers. Working with him does not present a health risk to people for these reasons. You can contact polystyrene foam without the need for additional safety gear during transportation, installation, operation, and disassembly. This kind of construction material cannot irritate the touch. The substance poses no risk to an animal’s eyes or respiratory system.

It is not required to wear any protective gear, such as gloves, oxygen-flowing masks, protective glasses, or special clothing, when working with the material. The transportation, civil, and industrial sectors all make extensive use of heat insulators. Throughout the material’s entire operating life, he experienced a number of structural and compositional changes. The heat insulator’s advantageous qualities were enhanced at the same time that unnecessary elements vanished.

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Styrol in the composition of the foam

Styroll is a colorless, toxic material used in the production of polymers, specifically polystyrene. The harm this poison does to human health is enormous. In extreme circumstances, the central nervous system may fail, blood disorders may develop, and all organ functions may be compromised, ultimately resulting in death.

Both the extruded and regular foam manufacturing processes and the properties of the resulting materials differ slightly. Extruded polystyrene is just as hazardous to health as foam because the initial raw materials are essentially the same.

The polymerization procedure holds the styrene within the material. The issue is that polymerization can only reach a maximum of 97%, not 100%. As a result, the final 3% of the material can freely exit its structure.

Furthermore, the styrene is released from the foam when reverse polymerization starts, which happens after a brief period of time. The process’s intensity is influenced by the following factors:

• temperature;
• light, especially ik radiation;
• oxygen;
• ozone;
• water.

The aforementioned factors intensify the depolymerization process. The acceptable levels of styrene’s effects are governed by set guidelines. Researchers at research institutes measured the amount of styrene in rooms that had foam insulation on the inside and found that it was ten times higher than allowed. With a temperature rise of 75 degrees, or more than 150 times.

The non-freezing fluid used to heat a warm house cannot be overheated because doing so turns it into acid.

This article discusses the best water heating liquid to select.

A certain amount of poison will still seep into the room even if you insulate the house with foam on the outside. According to these scientists, it is better to insulate the house because polystyrene is harmless and its negative health effects are readily apparent.

How the foam products affect the ecology

Naturally, with foam being used on a daily basis and being distributed in such a way, one must wonder if it is safe or harmful.

Manufacturers state that the environmental friendliness of the polystyrene is one of its most crucial operational characteristics. Their curiosity is reasonable, though. For this reason, it is best to get in touch with scientific research when determining whether the environmental polystyrene is genuinely the cause of the harm.

Polistyle foam viewed through a lens

Any material’s environmental friendliness is defined by how it interacts with other substances, how it affects the environment on its own, and how it is exposed to specific conditions.

Furthermore, both the short-term and long-term impacts. The primary influencing factors are as follows:

• Polystyrene foam practically does not absorb water and does not interact with it at all. Therefore, the use of it, for example, in the decoration and insulation of facades, is not only effective, but also safe. It follows that foam ceiling tiles, if it does not heat it,.
• Polistyle foam is not oxidized by air exposure and does not decompose under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. These qualities make it possible to dispose of the foam at the landfill of the household waste, and not at the specialized chemical training ground.
• Polistyle foam is not dissolved by any substances with which it can contact a dump of household waste. Acetone, initial styrene, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons serve as solvents. These substances are not found (at least should not meet) at the landfill of household waste.
• Polystyrene foam is very durable material. Cyclic tests for stability by an annual temperature change in the range from -40 ° C to +40 ° C with exposure to ultraviolet and water material showed that even after 80 cycles (which corresponds to 80 years), the structure of polystyrene foam remained unchanged.
• Extreme temperatures are not typical of the conditions for the use of polystyrene foam, but were also studied. When heated without an open flame without a source, the polystyrene foam is not even treated with fire agencies begins to collapse only at 300 ° C, and with an open flame at 210 ° C. The effects of low temperatures can generally be not taken into account, since destruction occurs only superficial, and even then at -310 ° C.

Sadly, home waste dumps end up receiving the majority of used polystyrene foam. Polystyrene foam does not break down when buried, making it nearly innocuous to the environment because it does not react with air or water.

The fact that collecting and processing polystyrene foam is currently not very profitable adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Polystyrene foam can be processed to yield polystyrene; however, this method is just as expensive as producing polystyrene from primary raw materials, and it necessitates a more intricate process organization.

Grinding polystyrene foam is another method of processing it so that it can be used to make concrete, polystyrene blocks, filler for heat-insulating mixtures, and other materials of a similar nature. There is hope that secondary processing will go in this promising direction, resulting in fewer landfills.

A pile of outdated foam

It is too early to tell what harm the environment actually causes or will cause to polystyrene. The substance is incredibly robust. Not even the first foams produced in large quantities have reached the point of breakdown.

Advantages of polystyrene foam

Scientists carried out an experiment. Housing in the Far North was constructed entirely of polystyrene foam. It was populated with people. Consequently, it was discovered that 98 percent of polystyrene foam is an excellent heat insulator, making it stand out with relatively high thermal insulation characteristics. These characteristics of polystyrene foam prevent the space from being covered by the space.

When combined with other building materials, this insulation has demonstrated itself to be effective and has no negative effects on their quality. The long operational life of polystyrene foam is one of its benefits because it is a non-rotting insulation material.

Without changing, Polistyle foam can continue to perform its intended functions within the "-60º"–"+95º" temperature range. It also maintains its original structure in such temperatures even when subjected to negligible mechanical loads.

This insulation can be added to concrete solutions, plastering compositions, or hollow blocks for the purpose of ecological balance. This enables the final material to have better structure and increased properties.

What is polystyrene or polystyrene foam

You must first comprehend what polystyrene foam is and how it reacts to different stimuli. and comprehend if polystyrene poses a health risk?

Gas is present in Polistyle foam. They are created when the polystyrene granules are heated with steam. These granules were previously gas-filled. Different gases are used for different purposes: carbon dioxide is used in fire-resistant foam, while natural gas is used in regular polystyrene foam. The gas expands when heated, causing the granules to grow 15–30 times larger than they were initially.

When there are no constraints on the granules’ expansion, loose material is produced and used for construction, packing, and filling frameless furniture. Foaming is done in a closed form with the intended configuration in order to produce solid foamolast forms. Thus, they receive boxes for packing household appliances, relief decorative products, flat sheets of insulation, and much more.

The resulting material has several highly profitable characteristics, including:

• high thermal insulation;
• high durability;
• low water absorption;
• low steam absorption;
• biological stability;
• unattractiveness for rodents and parasites.

Penopolast is a low-cost, lightweight material that effectively absorbs moisture and has a low thermal conductivity. It is biodegradable and decay-resistant, long-lasting, flexible enough to take on any shape, and durable enough to maintain its shape.

This has led to the widespread usage of polystyrene foam in numerous applications:

• In the ammunition for security (both military and civil). In helmets, knee pads, puppies, polystyrene foam is used as shock -absorbing material and insulation.
• For the production of disposable dishes. Hot food containers, glasses for drinks are widely used.
• As a packaging material. Polistyle foam preserves fragile objects during transportation. Can be used both in the form of placers, and in the form of pressed forms of the desired profile.
• For the manufacture of children"s toys and goods for children"s security.
• For frameless furniture (poufs, chairs – bags).
• In the manufacture of blanks for needlework and creativity.
• For the manufacture of decorative elements of the interior and the garden decorations (fake stones, garden figures)
• In some countries (Japan, Finland, Norway, Canada, USA), polystyrene foams are used in road works to protect soil from freezing, reduce the vertical load on the soil, creating artificial irregularities, etc. D. In Russia, polystyrene foam for this purpose is not used.
• For decoration of internal and external. Different decorative elements of the facades, ceiling tiles, stucco simulation and much more are made from polystyrene foam.
• In the manufacture of polystyrene foam, concrete – polystyrene blocks for the construction of walls in low -rise construction.
• For the manufacture of various heat -insulating, soundproofing materials.

Foam packed with polystyrene

Low vapor permeability of polystyrene

The capacity of insulating materials to pass steam, or breathe, is a crucial feature. Particularly when extruded, foam cannot claim to have good vapor permeability—it breathes ten times less.

As a result, using these materials involves violating air exchange. Consequently, there are areas where moisture builds up. Mold grows quickly in areas with poor ventilation and moisture.

In a room like this, the air is full.

Regardless of how the foam is installed, the walls eventually gather moisture. Does the fungus pose a health risk? It can, in fact, lead to serious illnesses. The truth is that disagreements she tosses into the atmosphere spread mold. Being in the room where the walls are covered in a fungus makes it impossible to prevent them from entering the body through the lungs because there can be billions of them in one cubic meter.

Illnesses brought on by the fungus’s spores in the body:

• asthma;
• respiratory tract;
• digestive system disorder;
• migraine attacks;
• internal bleeding;
• defeat of internal organs.

You really can’t undervalue this issue. Particularly delicate and susceptible to child abuse. Continuous ventilation of the room is the solution to the issue, but this isn’t always feasible. For instance, you can’t leave the windows open all day in the winter. Thus, you must make use of. They warm the supplied air by absorbing heat from the airflows leaving the source. Thus, there is less heat loss.

Harmful or not

Insulation for siding

Firstly, evaporation during its operation is what they mean when they discuss the risks associated with this or that material. They won’t be able to get through if the material is secured. Extra decoration is typically applied to the foam. For instance, siding is applied to shield it from UV rays, and paint is applied to the walls following plastering.

Think about the issue of the foamylex’s potential hazards during a fire. It turns out that toxic fumes, not fire, are the primary cause of death for many people, so mounting it outside is advised.

The best treatment for them is to just not give in to the cat if you are worried about whether the foam is being gnawed. Mice chew on everything, including concrete.

You will discover the following information from the video, along with responses to some other contentious questions about Penoplex: Is it harmful?

Characteristics of the foam and the scope of its application

Understanding the foam’s composition and production process is essential before determining whether it poses a health risk. Among other things, you should think about how broadly the material can be applied, as the ways in which the material is used will determine any potential effects on an individual.

Even though some producers contend that polystyrene is an environmentally friendly material, the process used to produce it is far from "environmentally friendly." Pentane and methylene chloride, two high-temperature fluids required for the foaming of polystyrene, are used in the production of foam.

A sufficient number of pores, or balls that make up the foam sheets, are created after foaming. Highly toxic substances, such as styrene, are also used for polymerization, which is the conversion of pores into solid elements. However, in any reaction, a small amount of reagents that were not included in the reaction and retained their initial toxic properties remain.

Following polymerization, the round components are soldered together to form a dense mass at a temperature between 140 and 175 °C. They are then further cut into slabs that are the necessary size.

It should be highlighted, though, that there are extremely few of these free reagents if the material was created without violating any technological restrictions. As a result, the finished product fully satisfies all applicable Russian and international sanitary requirements. Not just in building, foam finds application in a variety of fields. Foam is useful in a multitude of ways:

Comparative properties of foam and other thermal insulation materials based on how harmful they are.

• external wall insulation;
• internal wall insulation;
• sound insulation arrangement;
• erection of houses;
• Foam as a packaging material.

Not every area of foam application is covered by this. It should be immediately noted that strict adherence to the usage instructions is a necessary requirement for the safe use of foam as insulation. The problem is that the polymerization that takes place during the production of this material can also happen in the opposite direction, for instance, when exposed to high temperatures, UV radiation, or other conditions.

When the polymer breaks down, a considerable amount of extremely toxic chemicals are released, such as benzaldehyde and formaldehyde. These compounds, when combined with Styroll particles, can have a negative impact on human health and occasionally cause mutations to manifest in fetuses during intrauterine development.

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Modern Penopropsa and Reality

Consumer myths include the idea that a real house should "breathe" in addition to being harmful to human health. Sadly, the only material that can guarantee air circulation naturally is wood. It’s great to have a lovely wooden house outside of the city, but how can high-rise structures be constructed out of such material? The required air exchange in a city apartment is provided by the windows as well as supply and exhaust ventilation. The house was constructed in compliance with modern codes, so the supposed harm of the foamyplex, which prevents the walls from breathing, only serves to support its use. The house should function similarly to a thermos.

However, the "steam permeability" of the walls is a genuine myth that spreads false information with far greater consequences than just speculating about potentially dangerous materials within the prison complex. It is just inconceivable to envision a multi-story structure spewing steam on a chilly day. The walls would have been coated in ice as a result, and discussions regarding the foamyplex’s hazardous emissions as well as the necessity of protecting the occupants from recurring colds would have been required.

You can discuss the foam and whether the heater is unhealthy for a long time. Furthermore, the only indication of the foamed extruded polystyrene slabs’ environmental safety is that they were utilized to build a bathhouse at the Novolazarevskaya International Scientific Station in Antarctica.

1 What is polystyrene, where it is used

The material used to create the construction, which resembles a foamed plastic mass, is called polistyle foam. It is constructed from unique raw ingredients. Foam is synthetic material.

Polystyrene foam comes in a multitude of forms. As an illustration,

• polyurethane for insulation of the attic with polystyrene;
• polyvinyl chloride;
• polystyrene and others.

• composition;
• processing technology;
• strength;
• resistance.

Why is the substance employed? For thermal insulation (as a heater), we respond. It consists of polystyrene and gas (98%). Polystyrene foam is the kind of foam that is frequently utilized in daily life.

Foam has made a name for itself as a material with respectable heat-insulating properties that is affordable, worthwhile, and adaptable to almost any surface.

1.1 How the foam is used?

The most widely used application of foam is as a heating material in construction:

• in the apartment (serves as a heater of walls, floor);
• facades (Knauf Therm Foam);
• houses.

Foam is useful because it is inexpensive and performs well in the tasks.

The raw materials are balls of polystyrene foam.

The main concerns for anyone working in construction, maintenance, or insulation are the material’s quality, how it’s fastened, and how this building material affects one’s health. And the foam is very practical in this sense.

After studying the different types and compositions of foam, we move on to the main topic: the question of how harmful this material is, as well as the thermal insulation K-Flex for pipes.

Environmental friendliness of the material

Another hotly debated topic is whether polystyrene concrete is environmentally friendly. The grades of polystyrene used to make the finished product are the primary determinant. The cost of the final product rises when so-called "food" polystyrene is used in its manufacturing. However, the technology used in its manufacture and such raw material stamps render polystyrene concrete essentially ecologically superfluous. The widespread application of these technologies is hampered, nevertheless, by their high production costs.

"Critical. Most frequently, low-cost product brands are used in construction.

Additionally, use different additives to improve qualities. As a result, the polymerization process can continue for years, emphasizing the hazardous material known as free styrene.

The "Styrodet" protective primer was created in 1994 by Academician Maltsev in IN (Research Institute "Iron Burner") in an effort to improve the environmental qualities of concrete containing polystyrene granules. The release of dangerous volatile substances from the material is prevented by further treatment with such a primer of the necessary premises. Additionally, the concrete filler is double-foaming with intermediate ventilation and output to improve MPC standards. This ensures that the material is free of environmental impurities.

Dangers of use of foam inside the house

Foam’s primary drawback is that it fuels, which means ventilated facades cannot use it.

Therefore, even though foam is generally thought to be completely safe, there are situations in which it can be harmful to a person. It is important to note that foam is only unhealthy if the proper handling procedures are not followed when using it.

Since this material can be used almost anywhere, using it for interior house insulation necessitates following all installation guidelines and taking certain safety measures. It is still important to take into account some risks related to using foam indoors, even though it has great heat and soundproofing qualities and is reasonably priced.

Foam is entirely safe—but only when installed correctly.

That is, if the material is found to be a part of an insulating sandwich, where it is not exposed to the air, the sun’s rays do not shine on it, and there is no chance that chemicals will fall into it and cause it to decompose and release harmful substances into the atmosphere, then it is safe.

Unfortunately, a lot of individuals who want to take advantage of this material’s great qualities purposefully overlook installation technology, which greatly raises the possibility of dangerous substances in the air. To be fair, though, it’s important to remember that even in this scenario, there won’t be a significant enough quantity of hazardous materials for the body to be harmed. The potential health risks associated with using foam for interior house insulation are as follows:

Since foam is completely impermeable to steam, mold could grow inside the home.

1. The appearance of mold. With improper fastening of the material to the wall between it and the wall, a space is formed where condensate accumulates, which is an ideal environment for mold and fungi. These microorganisms not only harm the walls, but can also cause the development of many serious diseases in humans, including endocarditis.
2. Fire hazard. Despite the fact that the foam intended for insulation is not fuel, since it consists of 90% of the air, nevertheless, when exposed to high temperatures, it begins to melt, distinguishing a significant amount of highly toxic, potent substances, which can lead to rapid loss of consciousness. Thus, in case of fire, a person who finds himself in the room while melting of the foam has less chance of getting out unharmed.
3. Increasing the number of rodents in the house. Sellers of this material claim that rodents do not eat polystyrene and carefully avoids it. In fact, rodents do not eat foam, but willingly gnaw it to arrange their nests.

As a result, polystyrene primarily causes indirect harm. Foam can be used indoors without risk to health because it can be installed properly, minimizing any potentially harmful moments.

Go back to the contents table.

What should be the insulation

We will comprehend ourselves because there is a lack of objective data regarding the purportedly detrimental effects of foamyplex on an individual.

Many purchasers make their heater selection after becoming acquainted with the features that make Penopolex St. products work." Words cannot express how much discussion there is regarding the detrimental effects of foamyplex, but let’s try to sort it out. The insulation material selected for a structure or structures needs to fulfill the subsequent criteria:

1. Safety:
2. The material used should not contain dust and small fibers, which confirms the failure of claims about the harm of the foam for the home, since these factors are absent;
3. Phenolformaldehyde resins and similar harmful substances are absent in the foam, which allows you to give a negative answer to the question: “There is no foam or no foam?";
4. About whether a person is harmful to the environment and health of a person can be judged on the basis that in its production, means that destroy the ozone layer of the Earth are not used;
5. When operating the insulation from 50 degrees of frost to 75 heat, as recommended by the instructions for the foam-there are no harmful discharge for a person, which is confirmed by sanitary-epidemiological and environmental conclusion.
6. Moisture resistance:
7. The wetting of the insulation used in the construction works leads not only to a decrease in the level of thermal protection, but also to the formation of fungi and mold, therefore, to talk about the dangers of a foamyplex for human health, given its almost zero water absorption – incorrectly;
8. Modern heater of the penumplex is so resistant to moisture that neither drainage water nor healed soils are terrible.
9. High level of thermal protection:
10. The foam is harmful or not, the use of which not only creates comfortable living conditions, but also reduces heating costs, because it has an extremely low thermal conductivity (not more than 0.032 W/m K)?;
11. High thermal conductivity allows with a slight increase in wall thickness to achieve a noticeable contraction of heat loss.
12. Compressive strength:
13. The strength of the insulation allows you to use it not only for thermal insulation of walls and roofs, but also to increase the thermal protection of foundations, insulation of floors, basements that withstand constant load;
14. Even prolonged operation will not lead to deformation and a change in the size of modern insulating material.

You can talk about the dangers of foam for a long time

Scientists would probably make a few more arguments before giving up on polystyrene foam. We won’t overwhelm you with a long list of drawbacks or technical scientific jargon. After all, even the brief moments we were able to capture are sufficient to consider whether employing foam to address particular issues is wise. Additionally, keep in mind that not every situation calls for the use of polystyrene. especially when it comes to the value of organizing residential buildings. And that’s inside even more.

Remember that there are a variety of materials available that can, in certain situations, serve as a suitable substitute for polystyrene foam. Additionally, occasionally, and surpass it based on certain indicators.

Make thoughtful selections when purchasing building supplies!

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The effect of foam on the environment and human health

More than 150 years ago, the polymerization reaction produced the first plastic, which was foam. Several technologies were developed during this period to produce polystyrene foam with different additives that enhance the material’s properties.

The material is marketed by manufacturers as:

• Environmental.
• Harmless.
• Self -shallow.
• Undecayable.
• Durable.

Nonetheless, there is cause for concern regarding these attributes based on the views of specialists in the fields of ecology and construction. Examine the primary assertions made in this content.

• When they talk about the absence of the influence of foam on nature, they talk about the inertia of the material, not taking into account the fact that it does not decompose. Having hit the landfill, the waste of packages, disposable dishes, scattering under the influence of ultraviolet radiation on granules, will lie there forever.

In summary, polystyrene is bad for the environment.

• They argue that extruded polystyrene foam – penoplax and graphite -containing foamopolisterol – technoplex that have the property of self -adjusting are less fire hazardous than polystyrene foam obtained using the old technology. Does this mean that the material will not create additional harm in the fire? No, with a large fire area, the temperature of the burning focus may be higher than the melting temperature of plastic, which will entail the release of poisonous gases.

In summary, polystyrene and polystrene foam present fire hazards.

• Manufacturers claim that mold cannot live on foam, which is confirmed by experiments. Yes, mold does not live on the material itself, but due to zero vapor permeability of the foam, increased humidity in the room insulated from the inside leads to the appearance of black mold on the material of the cladding or plaster. There, mold can be pleased to multiply with pleasure.

In conclusion, take care of forced ventilation and warm the walls from the inside using polystyrene foam.

• Manufacturers claim that rodents do not feed on polystyrene foam. Yes, but they appreciated the thermal insulation qualities of the material and, if possible, arrange warm "winter apartments" in a layer of insulation

In summary, rodent protection is essential when installing insulation.

• They say that the foam is safe during operation. Controversial statement, since production technology does not provide a 100% guarantee of polymerization of the feedstock, freshly laid polystyrene foam will distinguish styrene. In addition, at a temperature above 30 ° C, with air oxidation of the material, such harmful substances for the health of people as toluene, benzene, formaldehyde are released. Since over 20 years of operation, the material decomposes by 10-15%, over time there is an increase in harmful discharge.

In conclusion, using foam to heat a room from the inside can be harmful to your health.

Overall conclusion: due to the material’s technical properties and chemical makeup, damage to foam is a real thing, not a myth.

It is important to weigh the financial advantages of using inexpensive material against the risks of the material’s detrimental effects on your health and the health of those close to you when determining whether or not polystyrene foam is safe to use as a heater.

What do manufacturers and builders say

Concerning the safety of polymers made with styrene, manufacturers agree. The insulation that was recently removed from the conveyor has perfectly neutral chemical properties; it doesn’t react at operating temperatures that are acceptable and doesn’t release any dangerous compounds into the atmosphere.

Slabs for heaters

Verifies the International Construction Code (IRC) and safety. One common, inexpensive, and environmentally safe heater material is polystyrene. Furthermore, there are very few heat losses with this material, making it highly energy-efficient. One of the greatest insulators for homes and apartments in the US was found to be polystyrene.

The harm of polystyrene foam extruded for the body

The use of specialized equipment called extruders forms the basis for the production of extruded polystyrene foam.

This apparatus works by applying the extrusion principle, which entails forcing heated source material through small fissures. During the manufacturing process, a slab-shaped heater is created.

Extruded hazardous materials have the potential to seriously harm people’s health. This material becomes particularly harmful when exposed to high temperatures. The reason for this is that harmful substances like:

1. Styroll couples.
2. Pairs of benzene.
3. Soot.
4. Carbon dioxide.
5. Carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide.

Styrene, the primary component of polystyrene, has a combustion temperature of roughly 1100 degrees Celsius.

Because polystyrene takes a long time to decompose—more than a century—using this material in construction has an adverse effect on the environment. The material experiences considerable wear during the 20–25 years of intensive operation, which increases the material’s detrimental effects on people.

Up to 60% of the decomposed styrene is allocated by the polystyrene plate during the period of intense operation.

When styrol enters the surrounding atmosphere, it reacts with oxygen to form highly toxic compounds like benzaldehyde and formaldehyde.

Pregnant women’s bodies are significantly impacted by the ensuing toxins.

Because of the high likelihood of it releasing harmful compounds into the air, using this material for interior house insulation is unacceptable.

Polistyle foam is advised for industrial and residential buildings’ external insulation.

The best application for foamyplex is to warm the walls, foundation, and base of the structure from the outside. If the house’s attic room is not used for residential purposes, then using this material as a heater beneath roofing material on the roof is acceptable.

Polystyrene foam décor elements are permitted in residential buildings.

Advantages and disadvantages of foam

Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to the foam insulation, which is something to consider. Think about the advantages of heating this material:. Naturally, the primary benefits include heat and sound insulation, ease of installation, fungal protection due to the material’s properties, affordability, and resistance to extreme heat and cold.

• The main advantage, of course, is heat and sound insulation;
• simple installation;
• Thanks to its qualities, this material is protected from the fungus;
• low price;
• withstands both severe heat and very low temperatures.

But in addition to its benefits, foam has certain drawbacks like any other raw material:

• Very poorly passes the air;
• . In addition, polystyrene does not have such an important property as self -substitution;
• requires protection against various damage;
• When heated, an unpleasant odor may appear, which can hold for a long time if the premises are used;
• can attract mice. Oddly enough, mice love him very much, and because of this there may be problems not only with insulation, but also with wiring.

It is also important to keep in mind that a lot of dangerous acids are released into the air when a fire breaks out in a home where foam is being used as a heater.

And only a few breaths can reach lungs, even if the fire was small and quickly put out.

In the realm of home heating and insulation, the debate over the safety of polystyrene foam looms large. With its widespread use in construction, concerns about its potential hazards have sparked a fierce debate. Some argue that polystyrene foam poses serious health and environmental risks, while others claim these fears are exaggerated. In our article, we delve into the heart of this controversy to separate myth from reality. By examining the scientific evidence and exploring both sides of the argument, we aim to provide homeowners with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their insulation choices. Whether the dangers of polystyrene foam are real or mere speculation, our goal is to shed light on this important issue and empower readers to create safer, more energy-efficient homes.

The use of foam is harmful or not as a heater for a residential building

Many vouch for the prominence of polystyrene foam. The material can collapse during polymerization when exposed to various stimuli such as heat, ozone, light, moisture, ionizing agents, and physical contact. As a result, a free styrene is formed, which enters the living quarters, and the inhabitants are in contact with a similar toxic element for a long time. It should be mentioned that in this instance, the substance’s maximum allowable concentration is normal. However, this level of styrene is enough to cause problems for someone who has a heart, as well as irreversible harm to women’s health.

Yes, the leftover styrene is a dangerous instrument. It easily dissolves in the air and has a detrimental effect on people’s health, causing headaches, retinal irritation, dizziness, and occasionally cramps. This leads to the formation of free styrene, which finds its way into the living spaces, exposing the occupants to a comparable toxic element over an extended period of time.

The insulation’s equilibrium polymer composition is the primary cause of polystyrene foam’s toxicity. Under typical operating conditions, styrene and polystyrene foam are found in equilibrium.

Foam styrene is released if this equilibrium is disturbed. The temperature regime affects the amount of styrene present in the material. The quantity of toxic material increases as temperature rises. For instance, the concentration of the hazardous material will be 100 mg/cube. m when the air temperature reaches 20º; this is higher than usual. The maximum allowed dosage for residential properties is 0.002 mg/cube.

The amount of styrene in polystyrene produced domestically is 0.2%, while the amount in polystyrene produced abroad is roughly 0.05% (a sign of the material’s safety). Since the influence of the styrene is almost completely eliminated after cooling, the maximum concentration of toxic substance in the foam is fixed immediately after production, while the product is still heated.

Polystyrene foams are only advised to be used as external insulation during the building process, adding the material to building blocks that are incapable of or inadequately missing steam. These construction materials include chips-cement stoves, expanded clay concrete, and reinforced concrete. Toxic discharge will not enter the space if polystyrene plates are placed beneath the screed. Consequently, polystyrene won’t be harmful to people’s health in this case.

One of the characteristics of foamed plastics is their high absorption of moisture. As a result, the polystyrene foam granular produced using the remarkable method has a 3.5-fold higher moisture permeability. The quality of the insulation is greatly reduced when using this heat insulator.

It is known that the human body can secrete 50 g of moisture in thirty minutes, in addition to the moisture that is added during cooking and washing. This implies that the house’s rooms must overlap in order for steam to escape. In this case, all foamed materials lose a significant amount of mineral wool and fiberglass. According to scientific studies, this substance reduces normal oxygen metabolism by nearly 60%.

There are various material options based on air throughput. It is common knowledge that polystyrene foam does not lack oxygen elements; however, if we consider contemporary modifications of polystyrene, which have densities ranging from 10 to 20, we can discuss the possibility of oxygen leaking through them. However, you can use more dense polystyrene foam insulators to protect against cold in your attic, basement, and other areas.

1 General information

Before you decide if the foam is actually harmful, let’s review its composition and manufacturing process. This will greatly enlighten us.

In actuality, polystyrene foam is correctly regarded as the original progenitor. Balls made of polystyrene make it up. unique raw materials produced with gas fillers and polymers.

The result is a material that is incredibly light, has a lot of air, and has superior thermal insulation qualities.

Many discuss the dangers of foamyx insulation and polystyrene. However, these kinds of materials are already nearly flawless in modern times.

If there is any harm from them, it is minimal. Even so, we point out that regular polystyrene foam separates compounds that are hazardous to human health. Its mice are also good chewers.

Since we’re talking about branded goods from well-known businesses, the fact that regular foam isn’t harmful should be taken into consideration. Well-known producers like Techniconol, Knauf, etc. They built their reputation on quality.

You can be positive that their thermal insulation is safe for your health if you purchase it to decorate the interior or exterior of the space. She is not causing any harm at all.

Buying products from unidentified manufacturers to use foam to warm the basement is a whole other story. You are effectively playing a variation of roulette here. Nobody is going to promise you that the material you purchase won’t cause any harm. Ultimately, you are unaware of the criteria used in its creation.

Furthermore, this concept applies to both regular polystyrene foam and the foam itself. Regardless, branded materials will always take precedence over non-branded ones, despite their higher cost.

The foam is actually just extruded polystyrene foam. It goes through the extrusion process (overflow in high-pressure furnaces). The end product is material, which is made up of an entire piece of very dense foam.

8 cm thick foam tilts are used to insulate walls.

The balls and other raw materials made of polystyrene are no longer present in it. especially when they’re most basic.

1.1 In the influence of production technology on the harm from the material

The unique aspect of this technology is that all of the drawbacks of polystyrene foam are eliminated during the remelting process. The formed material has a consistency similar to that of mounting foam. And as you are aware, it has no negative effects on human health.

Furthermore, if the polystyrene foam caused harm to insignificant but persistent styling vapor secretions in the air, then foamyplex, which is used for balcony insulation, no longer has this issue.

First, all of its negative components are eliminated during the extrusion process. Secondly, the foam is chemically treated following creation to totally eliminate any discharge.

You shouldn’t worry about how the plates, if used indoors, would effect the occupants. These concerns are unfounded and, to be honest, frequently inflamed by rival manufacturers of polystyrene foam.

After all, for a moderate price, this material has incredibly high rates. And this poses a significant threat to other market participants as well as the same producers of mineral wool.

Myth	Reality
Polystyrene foam is highly flammable and dangerous.	Polystyrene foam used in construction is treated with flame retardants, making it relatively safe.

It becomes clear from exploring the controversy surrounding polystyrene foam insulation that the problem is intricate and multidimensional. Even though there have been questions about its safety, it’s important to address the subject objectively.

First and foremost, it’s important to recognize that polystyrene foam has been used extensively for insulation for a long time. Its outstanding insulating qualities, robustness, and affordability are the main reasons for its appeal. This material has been successfully used to insulate countless homes and buildings, improving comfort and energy efficiency.

Nonetheless, questions have been raised concerning polystyrene foam’s possible effects on human health and the environment. Certain chemicals used in the production process, like benzene and styrene, may be hazardous to the environment and human health, according to some studies. Concerns exist regarding polystyrene foam’s flammability as well as how it might pollute the air in the event of a fire.

Despite these reservations, it’s critical to understand that, with the right safety measures in place, polystyrene foam insulation can be used without incident. One way to reduce potential risks is to select products with low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and make sure they are installed properly. Furthermore, developments in manufacturing technology have produced more ecologically friendly substitutes, like foams derived from biomasses.

In conclusion, it’s critical to approach the topic with informed decision-making even though the controversy over the safety of polystyrene foam insulation rages on. Based on their unique requirements and circumstances, homeowners and builders should evaluate the possible advantages and disadvantages of utilizing polystyrene foam and take into account alternative insulation materials. Effective insulation can be achieved without compromising security by remaining informed and adopting the necessary precautions.

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