The construction debris from a neighbour’s house resulted in a blanket of Styrofoam particles on a Toronto resident’s property.

Styrofoam has been linked to negative health consequences and has a large impact on the environment. The short- and long-term impacts of construction materials should be considered prior to use.

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“As they were cleaning, more and more Styrofoam was just blowing off the building, so they stopped because there was no point. They couldn’t keep up with it,” she said.

“It’s just pervasive. It’s there, it’s a mess.”

Dellert said she could not use her green roof, patio or Jacuzzi over the Labour Day long weekend because of all the debris. After realizing how difficult it can be to clean, she said she’s now concerned the Styrofoam might have serious health and environmental impacts.

Styrene, a key chemical in Styrofoam, has not only been linked to health issues but can be harmful to the environment as well, said Thomas Tenkate, an associate professor at Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Occupational Public Health.

“It has been linked to a range of both acute and chronic effects … such as cancer and endocrine disrupting symptoms as well as issues to do with … skin, eye irritation and respiratory irritation,” Tenkate told CBC Toronto.

“If someone’s living next to a site that they’re continually doing this from, that potentially could be an impact on them directly as well as a broader impact on the environment.”

Preview text: Sara Jabakhanji, CBC News, Sep 07, 2022

Read the full and original story at CBC News.