Foam cups tied to cancer

The National Research Council, an independent panel of scientists, has confirmed that styrene — the key chemical component of foam cups and other food service items — may cause cancer in people.

The panel of 10 experts concluded styrene is "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" — upholding a previous link by the National Toxicology Program, NewsMax Health reports. 

"I think it's important to keep in mind that this is a hazard assessment," said Jane Henney, M.D., who chaired the research council's committee of experts.

"Our report says this chemical could be a problem, but a full risk-assessment on dose, exposure, quantification, and further characterization of the risk would need to be done before one would think about regulation in this area," added Henney, who headed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration during the Clinton administration.

For decades, industry leaders have insisted that styrene-based products, especially those used in food service, are safe.

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