2007-03-17 03:39:45 · 3 answers · asked by duels 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
I have wondered this very thing. Since you brought it up I decided to search. Pretty much the only thing I found was a lot of environmental websites that say it will never break down because it has no "organic" material. While I agree with that statement that it lacks "organic" material, is that really the only thing that "breaks down"? I noticed that Styrofoam does break down. Just leave a meat pack or cup outside. You will notice that it gets brittle and seems to disintegrate in certain parts. I just cleaned my backyard up for spring and found a couple cups that had blown back there. It seems that maybe UV rays break them down? If left to blow across the plains for a few years I bet there wouldn't be much left after a while. Anyway to directly answer your question I could not find a study not endorsed by an environmental group of some form that actually states how long Styrofoam lasts.
Hope this helps some. Good Luck!
2007-03-20 12:54:48 · answer #1 · answered by Rick P 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There have been lots of studies, most having to do with landfills, radioactive elements, even the human body (the Body Farm at the Univ. of Tennessee http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_Farm) The breakdown of a substance is a factor of its organic content and densities, bone lasts longer than skin, etc. - styrofoam is inorganic so it doesn't rot or decompose. It can be burned or dissolved, but unless that happens it should be around for a long, long time!
2007-03-17 04:53:01 · answer #2 · answered by lynn y 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't think it that it will never break down. Just that the half life of styrofoam is so long that it seems to take forever.
2007-03-17 03:49:01 · answer #3 · answered by delphis49 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋