Are the PS gobelets dangerous for the health?

[Leyla83]

I would like to obtain some information about the hazards related to the use of PS (polystyrene) cups or gobelets for hot drinks.These cups are deformed when we add a warm water (temperature above 90deg C).

 

[IRstuff]

see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene

it has a glass temperature of 95ºC.

Since you've already demonstrated that it's unsuitable for hot drinks and you presumably won't do it again

TTFN

Eng-Tips Policies FAQ731-376

 

[patprimmer]

I would say 60 deg C is warm. over 80 deg C is hot.

It is quite difficult to add hot water to a cup, add othere components to a beverage then stir and maintain over 90 deg C.

I have used PS cups in such application for years with not a single cup failure. Maybe some reasonable technique re gripping force is required.

Regards

eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[Demon3]

I support what IRStuff and Pat already said. I can add that "polystyrene" cups are not all alike. It is common to make them from a mixture of HIPS (high impact polystyrene containing polybutadiene rubber) and polystyrene itself. The rubber makes the cups more likely to deform when you add hot water. So, depending on how much HIPS is added you will get different response to the hot water.

I believe such cups are used the world over in coffee vending machines. I can only assume that they add the milk first to lower the water temperature or they may avoid such high temperatures. Afterall what's the point of 95°C water when it's not comfortable to drink it at that temperature.


There is not any memory with less satisfaction than the memory of some temptation we resisted.
- James Branch Cabell

 

[Leyla83]

I agree with all of you, not all cups have the similar behavior. Actually, I dont know the composition of the cups, I only know that they are used daily by all employees in the company where I work.They add boiling water and the cups become deformed. These cups are like ones used for drinking water (white, thin).

I only want to know if the cups are harmful. I heard of they release some toxics.

 

[Demon3]

No PS from any reputable supplier should be safe regarding release of any additives etc.


There is not any memory with less satisfaction than the memory of some temptation we resisted.
- James Branch Cabell

 

[IRstuff]

Well, the acid test would be to weight one before, cause it to deform and re-weigh it.

Frankly, I've done it exactly once, with an orange juice bottle, that deformed with hot tea. So, I've never done it again. I'm puzzled by why you'd continue to use something that's clearly inappropriate for the application.

TTFN

Eng-Tips Policies FAQ731-376

 

[Leyla83]

I never used them. Now, I must prepare a safety meeting and explain to my collegues that those cups are harmful, but I did not have enough information.

 

[Demon3]

Well similar cups are used completely safely in tens of thousands of machines all over the world. Perhaps your water is hotter than it needs to be.


There is not any memory with less satisfaction than the memory of some temptation we resisted.
- James Branch Cabell

 

[MechanicalChef]

Your hands are too stong.

 

[Leyla83]

According to the link below the styrene leaches into the drink whether the beverage is hot or cold

Links:

http://www.grinningplanet.com/2005/11-01/styrofoam-cups-article.htm

I thank Sheilah Etheridge for this link.

 

[Demon3]

Nice link but I don't believe the data. There is no way that 0.025 weight% of styrene can come out of a polystyrene article during a single use. I did a Google search and found this:

http://www.dartcontainer.com/web/environ.nsf/pages/enff08.html

This article measured sytrene from injection molded parts and it was well below regulated limits even under the worst conditions:

http://www.innova.ind.br/site2004/p...DUAL STYRENE IN INJECTION MOLDING OF HIPS.pdf

Best of all is this study that really measures leaching of styrene from household PS cups etc. It shows there is some leaching but in the ppm level:

http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Polystyrene/Polystyrene-Foods-Styrene-Monomer.htm

There is not any memory with less satisfaction than the memory of some temptation we resisted.
- James Branch Cabell

 

[patprimmer]

Leyla83

Why did you write 3 posts before you declared your agenda.

With complete information we can cut to the chase with minimal delay, and thereby save everyone some time.

The cups are designed for drinking, therefore the water should be at a temperature that is safe to drink.

If necessary, add the hot water last and do not pick the cup up until the contents are mixed and at near consumable temperature. Do not add water at a higher than required temperature no matter what the cup is made from as there is always a risk of spill, even from a metal oe ceramic cup.

Demon3 already fully answered the styrene monomer extraction issue.

Regards

eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[Leyla83]

Demon3 is talking about expanded polystyrene!!!

Patrimmer,It's logical I had not got this information before yesterday!!!

 

[Demon3]

I am not talking about expanded polystyrene. I mean regular solid PS. The links I have show extraction of monomer from solid PS.


There is not any memory with less satisfaction than the memory of some temptation we resisted.
- James Branch Cabell