Renowned family physician Dr. Akua Nyama has cautioned people against using Styrofoam the correct manner since it can cause major medical issues.
In an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb on June 21, 2025, Dr. Nyama discussed how common type of packaging can leak harmful chemicals that are detrimental for human health, particularly when it comes in touch with heat and fatty foods.
According to Dr. Nyama, styrene—a component of Styrofoam (also known as expanded polystyrene)—is the primary cause of concern.
We refer to this material as Styrofoam, also expanded polystyrene. Styrene, derived from fossil fuels, forms the package; chemicals are added to make it what it is. Styrofoam gets tough to handle when it comes in touch with heat. When hot food is kept in it, heated in the microwave, or when fatty foods are kept in it. For instance, styrene comes into touch with hot beverages including tea, coffee, and other drinks and finds itself in them. Then, following our consumption of them, it enters our bodies.
“Research on animals have also indicated that styrene might induce cancer in humans.” Stated otherwise, it could lead to cancer, Dr. Nyama said. At first glance, using Styrofoam to package cold food seems not like a big deal; but, when hot or fatty foods are added or the material is cooked, say in a microwave, it becomes far more dangerous. Health hazards of Styrofoam exposure Styrene can leak into food and beverages during these events, entering people’s bodies and maybe producing several negative health consequences. An Extended Spectrum of Health Hazards Affecting many facets of the body, Dr. Nyama compiled a long list of possible health issues linked to styrene exposure: Cancer: Styrene has been linked in humans to maybe cause cancer. Tests on animals have linked cancers of the blood (lymphoma and leukemia), the esophagus, and the pancreas.
Neurological System: Styrene damages neurons. Following brief contact, headaches, dizziness, tiredness, and illness can all strike. Long-term consequences of animal studies have revealed memory and concentration problems as well as anxiety and depression. Breathing styrene can aggravate the nose, throat, and eyes as well as cause long-term lung problems if it comes from burning Styrofoam or manufacturing. Styrene has been demonstrated to disrupt the body’s hormonal balance by either blocking or mimicking hormones, mostly those regulating the thyroid and reproduction.
These factors have been connected to birth abnormalities in some animal studies and can aggravate conditions including infertility. Though more study is needed, some studies indicate styrene may increase the risk of high blood pressure and fat buildup in blood vessels. Styrene might compromise the immune system, increasing a person’s likelihood of illness. Dr. Nyama said in his lecture that because styrene compounds are porous, they can readily enter the body from food fats. This makes storing hot or high in fat foods in Styrofoam quite difficult.
Good Advice on Other Choices and Safe Use
Dr. Nyama advised individuals to engage in safer activities to reduce these hazards:
Foods with heat and fat: Styrofoam containers should not hold hot food, drink, or heavy items.
- Do not microwave; Styrofoam containers—even if they contain food—should never be heated in a microwave. Select containers with microwave capability and appropriate directions.
- Seek for less dangerous substitutes: Using rather safe materials to handle and package food, Dr. Nyama highly advised clean banana leaves, Katemfe leaves (used for waakye packaging), ceramics, paper-based packages, glass, and stainless steel.
Dr. Nyama also discussed the environmental impact of Styrofoam, noting that it can last for thousands of years and breaks down rather slowly in the surroundings.
She demanded improved methods of trash disposal and recycling if we are to address this long-standing environmental issue.
The warning of the family physician specialist is a very crucial lesson for everyone to pay attention to the products used to package food and to put health and safety first by making wise decisions.
