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Styrofoam causes diseases, Styrofoam causes diseases – LASEPA
The Lagos State Government has provided justifications for why single-use plastics and styrofoam are prohibited throughout the state.
Polystyrene and single-use plastics will no longer be allowed in the state as of right now, according to a statement released on Sunday and signed by Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources.Lagos prohibits the use of single-use plastics that are made of foam.
The commissioner stated that the threat that single-use plastics, particularly non-biodegradable styrofoam, were posing to the environment led to the decision.
Despite the frequent cleaning and clearing of the drains with massive amounts of debris, he claimed that the majority of the state's drainage channels were constantly clogged with Styrofoam.
In addition to not being biodegradable, polystyrene is "very difficult to recycle and takes 500 years to decompose," according to the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, which provided justification for the ban on polystyrene by posting a message on its X handle on Tuesday.
"The primary source of pollution in oceans, polystyrene has a devastating effect on marine life," the agency declared.
The agency claims that among other things, styrene—a chemical found in styrofoam—is responsible for Parkinson's disease and cancer.
The statement read, "Among other things, styrene, a chemical found in Styrofoam, has been linked to diseases like cancer, Parkinson's, vision and hearing loss, and impaired memory."
According to the agency, "Polystyrene is thought to be the main source of urban litter and the fifth largest component of hazardous waste."
LASEPA advised residents to use alternatives to styrofoam such as paper packaging products, aluminum foil, reusable plastics, and bamboo products.