Oz Round Table

The Oz Round Table boards => The Round Table => Topic started by: Centuries on November 26, 2009, 04:08:59 PM

Title: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: Centuries on November 26, 2009, 04:08:59 PM
I have been informed that the white packing peanuts are "safe", but the oblong, creamy/light beige peanuts are treated with arsenic prior to being imported to this country.

I was told some of the people handling that type of peanut, either packing or unpacking goods, have had experienced problems with their skin and have felt off colour.

Has anyone heard of problems associated with that particular type of packing peanut?

If styrofoam/foam is used, and it can be a great padding, I always feel it should be recycled. However, if the above is the case, that would not be desirable,and those particular foam peanuts should not be imported. In my opinion.
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: tellomon on November 26, 2009, 04:24:19 PM
They are an environmental hazard *snipe* .
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: Centuries on November 26, 2009, 04:27:42 PM
Yes and a people hazard, too, if what I heard is correct. :(
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: tellomon on November 26, 2009, 04:30:38 PM
Yes and a people hazard, too, if what I heard is correct. :(

You liked this:

http://www.trutv.com/video/most-shocking/unprincipled-seniority.html?link=truTVshlk (http://www.trutv.com/video/most-shocking/unprincipled-seniority.html?link=truTVshlk)
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: *smee* on November 26, 2009, 04:39:33 PM
Nanna the girls who work in dispatch at Smee Enterprises dont appear to have suffered any ill effects
(http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt336/smeeagain61/hooter-girls-zombies-cheerleader.jpg)
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: *Brum6y* on November 26, 2009, 04:39:42 PM
Don't know about the arsenic - but I would be freaked out if I'd been handling them and had not been told!!!

I do know there are some water soluble ones which are great.  Just keep them dry if you want to use them!!
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: *Brum6y* on November 26, 2009, 04:40:48 PM
Quote
Nanna the girls who work in dispatch at Smee Enterprises dont appear to have suffered any ill effects

Don't know about that Smee - their teeth look a little off colour.
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: tellomon on November 26, 2009, 04:41:51 PM
Chop them up in small pieces and float 'em on Hot Chocolate.

Mmmmmmm!
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: *smee* on November 26, 2009, 04:42:22 PM
Quote
Nanna the girls who work in dispatch at Smee Enterprises dont appear to have suffered any ill effects

Don't know about that Smee - their teeth look a little off colour.

I put that down to too much coffee and fags
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: tellomon on November 26, 2009, 04:43:09 PM
Nanna the girls who work in dispatch at Smee Enterprises dont appear to have suffered any ill effects
(http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt336/smeeagain61/hooter-girls-zombies-cheerleader.jpg)

Night of The Living Hooters.
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: Centuries on November 26, 2009, 11:06:39 PM
I am told that the peanuts are cereal based and treated with a pesticide containing arsenic :( If this is correct, there should be a warning issued to anyone handling this product. It would be better to err on the side of caution.

I will try to find out more.
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: *Ubbie Max* on November 26, 2009, 11:11:33 PM
All I know about them is, they don't taste too good. I prefer Cashews anyway.
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: Centuries on November 26, 2009, 11:25:41 PM
ubbie  You ate some ?  :o :o :o


 :feelsick:

 :sick:


 :ambulance:



 :comfort:
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: *Ubbie Max* on November 26, 2009, 11:29:58 PM
Yeah, why not. They are peanuts & I'll give anything a go once.
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: *wheels* on November 27, 2009, 12:35:52 AM
Centuries,

I have googled  ;D

I couldn't find any links about arsenic treatment but I have found an Australian MSDS for polystyrene:

http://www.foamex.com.au/images/stories/foamex%20msds%20sq903.pdf

Dust from cutting foam and fumes from exposure to flame or heat can cause health problems. Some polystyrene would be treated to make it flame resistant, maybe making it more toxic?


There are a lot of articles about the environmental and health concerns and about the new starch based alternatives:

http://www.earthresource.org/campaigns/capp/capp-styrofoam.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foam_peanut#Starch-based_packing_peanuts
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: Centuries on November 27, 2009, 02:08:44 AM
Thanks wheels. I have been googling as well ;D I know the problem seems to relate to one particular non-white oblong packing peanut.

I think I will ring a few people and see if they can shed any light on the matter. It is bugging me :vent:
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: tellomon on November 27, 2009, 08:38:24 AM
I know the problem seems to relate to one particular non-white peanut.

(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r271/rontello/ODD%20Stuff/Mr_peanut.png)

"That's racist!"
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: Centuries on November 27, 2009, 12:23:46 PM
Would light beige be more appropriate? :huh:
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: *CountessA* on November 27, 2009, 02:25:18 PM
Politically correct packing peanuts? What next! *laugh*
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: tellomon on November 27, 2009, 03:30:40 PM
PC KEVLAR!
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: Centuries on November 27, 2009, 04:58:03 PM
 





  :shakehead:     PC KEVLAR     :buttkick:
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: cueperkins on November 27, 2009, 05:48:12 PM
I am told that the peanuts are cereal based and treated with a pesticide containing arsenic :( If this is correct, there should be a warning issued to anyone handling this product. It would be better to err on the side of caution.

I will try to find out more.

Workcover OH&S would know if there is any known hazard to workers, and failing that, there is an organisation that keeps track of poisons or banned chemicals in imported goods...who was it we were discussing this with...someone who sells acrylic nails....they are a member here and that poster would know the name....I'll remember soon....just need another slurp of me cold shandy....bloody hot here.

I'm sure it's something to do with Customs cause that's what we were discussing at the time....
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: Centuries on November 28, 2009, 02:20:02 AM
Yes,cupie. I meant to give both a call today.Every time I thought about it, I had a distraction and left it too late to make the calls. Or I was in computer land  :rolleyes:

I will contact them, as well as a few other departments on Monday. It is something I want to follow up. ;D


I remember something being discussed about banned chemicals in imported goods. I can't recall if it was on a forum or elsewhere.....and all I have imbibed is an after dinner black coffee :angel: 




with an additive :rofl:
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: tellomon on November 28, 2009, 02:32:20 AM
America is the #1 perp of banned chemmies.
If the Feds don't like them, the perps dump them in the water supply.

Flouride.

And peeps wonder why I get angry?
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: mandurahmum on November 28, 2009, 02:40:46 AM
Dare I ask what is wrong with Flouride? 
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: tellomon on November 28, 2009, 02:14:47 PM
Look it up!
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: *Brum6y* on November 28, 2009, 04:05:44 PM
Let me rephrase the question then...

What do you think is wrong with Flouride?
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: tellomon on November 28, 2009, 04:09:02 PM
The Nazis invented it.
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: *r3830* on November 28, 2009, 08:07:28 PM
'sup Tello???? At least ya won't get holes in ya dentures!
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: cueperkins on November 29, 2009, 10:49:23 AM

I remember something being discussed about banned chemicals in imported goods. I can't recall if it was on a forum or elsewhere.....and all I have imbibed is an after dinner black coffee :angel: 

with an additive :rofl:

It was being discussed on this forum centuries....possibly the fountain...I'll do some searches and see if I can find it...there is a Govt Dept who monitor banned or regulated chemicals being imported for use etc....Where it comes to workers using them, with detrimental affects, then Workcover itself will have a chemical divison in whatever state you live, that deals with Chemical hazards.
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: cueperkins on November 29, 2009, 10:52:10 AM
Let me rephrase the question then...

What do you think is wrong with Flouride?

Probably a bad example.....Chlorine in the water supply is probably more of  a worry...oh and dioxin just about everywhere......anyway.
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: *smee* on November 29, 2009, 12:18:21 PM
yes and becareful of those riboflavins in your cornflakes ... nasty things riboflavins
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: Centuries on November 29, 2009, 02:41:24 PM
smee ,  :pmsl: :pmsl: :pmsl:

Cupie  I found it. It was on The Round Tablet in September.

I have been given a bag of these darn packing peanuts and I intend making calls tomorrow....just in case....They may even harbour little ubbies, all munching happily away :o :o :o  :scared:
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: tellomon on November 29, 2009, 03:10:02 PM
Styro-virus.

(Peanut Germs?)
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: *smee* on November 29, 2009, 03:20:43 PM
Styro-virus.


Im pretty sure he is a Kiwi cricketer !
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: *wheels* on November 29, 2009, 03:46:09 PM
Centuries, don't worry. lock the bag away out of reach of any Pepsi Max and the little ubbies will surely shrivel up and die!  :piratecutlass:
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: Centuries on November 29, 2009, 08:51:46 PM
wheels, I had contemplated posting an armed guard near the bag     :idea:   



 :musing: :musing:


:shakehead: Why bother ;D ;D ;D



 :chocgirl:





Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: *smee* on November 29, 2009, 09:13:31 PM
Styro-virus.


Im pretty sure he is a Kiwi cricketer !

yep ... found him
http://hirank.blogspot.com/2007/04/styruss-wide-ball.html
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: Centuries on November 30, 2009, 11:53:02 PM

Sigh!

There has been no report, which could be found, of people being affected by the handling of these particular,cereal based, packing peanuts.

I was advised, by a toxicologist from an Agency which I contacted, that it would be wise to wear gloves if handling large amount of the particular packing peanut as a precaution, based on the information which I provided.

There could be/have been isolated incidences, other than the one I was discussing, of which the Agency has no knowledge.

Cereals are treated with pesticide prior to importation, and arsenic can be a component of those pesticides.

There it is---Officially---Nothing.

It was an extremely interesting conversation, nonetheless ;D

 

 

Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: tellomon on December 01, 2009, 12:02:28 AM
There it is---Officially---Nothing.

(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r271/rontello/South%20Park/0000035798_20061116111134.jpg)

"Move along people. There's nothing to see. Return to your homes".
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: *smee* on December 01, 2009, 12:06:06 AM
I thought arsenic is something you could get if you were shaving a hairy bottom
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: tellomon on December 01, 2009, 12:08:48 AM
 :10:
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: Centuries on December 01, 2009, 12:52:33 AM
 
I thought arsenic is something you could get if you were shaving a hairy bottom


Perhaps you could write up a report, smee ;)  :devil: :rofl:
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: *CountessA* on December 01, 2009, 12:41:21 PM
Remember you'll need a control group to prove your theory...
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: tellomon on December 01, 2009, 12:44:25 PM
Good luck finding volunteers for that!
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: *Yibida* on December 01, 2009, 02:01:22 PM
I eat the red ones last !...
Title: Re: Styrofoam packing peanuts
Post by: Centuries on December 01, 2009, 03:39:02 PM
I eat the red ones last !...


  :o :o :o