Thailand to fade out use of styrofoam

BANGKOK, February 17 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Public Health has agreed with its allied networks to fade out domestic use of styrofoam as food containers. Dr. Danai Theewanda, Deputy Director-General of the ministry's Department of Health, announced the move on Wednesday, after finding that the synthetic material takes more than 1,000 years to disintegrate. Dr. Danai acknowledged that a large number of restaurants and food shops use styrofoam as food containers for their convenience and cheaper costs. Dr. Danai explained, however, that once the styrofoam is heated, its shape deforms and melts, separating polystyrene, the main chemical material used to produce the containers, from other substances. Dr. Danai cautioned that polystyrene is harmful, as it could cause cancer, brain damage and irritation in consumers. In response to a recommendation by the Office of the National Economic and Social Advisory Council (NESAC), Dr. Danai revealed, his department has signed an agreement with allied networks, including relevant government agencies, department stores, operators of food businesses and food markets to fade out the use of styrofoam as food containers for the sake of people's good health. Under the agreement, three strategies will be jointly implemented by the allied parties, including designating styrofoam-free areas where food containers made from natural materials, like pulp or other organic food boxes, will be used instead, launching campaigns to create public awareness on use of natural materials, instead of styrofoam, and rejecting use of styrofoam in all forms. (TNA)