Tseng I-Ching, a 16-year-old high school student from Taiwan, has just taken top honors at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) for her discovery of a bacterium that decomposes polystyrene or Styrofoam.

Though Styrofoam no longer contains the ozone destroying CFC’s we used to hear about, it is still a threat to humans and the environment because it virtually never breaks down, and requires dangerous chemicals for it’s manufacture. It does deteriorate into small granules, but those float on air and water and tamper with the food chain.

The production of polystyrene requires benzene, a known carcinogen that causes bone marrow failure diseases such as aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and acute myeloid leukemia. 

While biodegradable alternatives to classic polystyrene are becoming more available, the U.S. tosses out some 25 billion non-biodegradable Styrofoam cups annually.

If we must use carcinogenic chemicals in the production of eating and drinking containers, (which for the record seems like a bad idea to me), it would be nice if that toxic material could break down instead of building up for future generations to deal with. Hopefully Tseng I-Ching’s discovery can help us facilitate this.

Benzene is a highly useful chemical that industry has depended on throughout the industrial revolution. Indeed it seemed pretty cool at first, but now significant evidence suggests that there is no safe exposure level for this carcinogenic aromatic hydrocarbon. The frequent use of benzene in industrial applications is sickening people world wide. Many of those sickened are innocent bystanders who live in proximity to industrial areas. Industrial workers also face the threat of benzene related disease.

Many people who have been wrongfully exposed to benzene have been able to receive monetary compensation for their illness through working with a reputable benzene lawyer. Benzene lawyers specialize in going up against even the most powerful corporations, and holding them accountable for their actions.

If you or a loved one have been sickened by benzene, discuss your situation benzene lawyer, they don’t get paid unless your case is successful.

Tags: "aplastic anemia" "myelodysplastic syndromes" "acute myeloid leukemia" polystyrene, benzene lawyer, Information-News, lawyer, polystyrene, Styrofoam