Thread: EPS Foam Isn't toxic

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We've mentioned in past episodes of Hauntcast that pink and blue expanded polystyrene foam is toxic, that turns out to be false. Here are some interesting facts you should check out.

Thats good to know because Ive been using my styrofoam heat cutter to make tombstones and signs for the last few hours. lol

I couldn't help but notice that the publication was a European based one. I don't know whether EPS is the same in both parts of the world. I have thought that California pulled EPS a few years ago to reformulate it to meet California standards (which frequently are more stringent than other states). Thought that i might have read it on one of the manufacturer's website's under their press releases. Last year I started to see it back in places like HD and Lowe's but it was impossible to find in California before then.

Europe has much stricter standards then even California does, typically.

Originally Posted by RunawayOctober

Europe has much stricter standards then even California does, typically.

I've heard that about certain items compared to here. However I guess my point is still that just because it's "not toxic" so to speak in Europe doesn't mean that is what is being sold here. It might make people in Europe feel better but unless a report is done here on U.S. EPS than I wouldn't jump to that conclusion.

Originally Posted by Ghost of Spookie

I've heard that about certain items compared to here. However I guess my point is still that just because it's "not toxic" so to speak in Europe doesn't mean that is what is being sold here. It might make people in Europe feel better but unless a report is done here on U.S. EPS than I wouldn't jump to that conclusion.

Oh yes, definitely. I don't think I'd want the junk floating around in my lungs regardless. Even if it's non-toxic, it's still not good for you.

Great information Chris. Always wondered that.

I tried reading the article but i'm a dummy.
Can someone explain what this means in language a 5 year old would understand?

Is this like the styrafoam sheets we buy at Home Depot?
Or the large blocks of styrafoam used for shipping material with the blue plastic on either side that I can find if I go dumpster diving?

If I'm using one of those heat cutters do I have to worry about fumes?
Do I have to worry about dust from cutting/sawing them into pieces?


I've always wondered about that.
Can anyone ease my mind?

I'm not recommending not wearing a mask. I still would wear a mask and work outside. Better to be safe than sorry.

Originally Posted by Shadowbat

Thats good to know because Ive been using my styrofoam heat cutter to make tombstones and signs for the last few hours. lol

Might want to be careful there... it's only nontoxic at room temperature. I'm pretty sure my Tervis Tumbler will be toxic if I set it on fire!

And yeah, it may be an EU/US difference and the US version may still have bad bad chemicals in it that give cancer to mice if they eat five hundred pounds of it per hour.