Author Topic: Styrofoam packing peanuts (Read 24732 times)

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.

tellomon · « **Reply #1 on:** November 26, 2009, 04:24:19 PM »

They are an environmental hazard *snipe* .

Centuries · « **Reply #2 on:** November 26, 2009, 04:27:42 PM »

Yes and a people hazard, too, if what I heard is correct.

tellomon · « **Reply #3 on:** November 26, 2009, 04:30:38 PM »

Quote from: Centuries on November 26, 2009, 04:27:42 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

*smee* · « **Reply #4 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

*Brum6y* · « **Reply #5 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!!

*Brum6y* · « **Reply #6 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.

tellomon · « **Reply #7 on:** November 26, 2009, 04:41:51 PM »

Chop them up in small pieces and float 'em on Hot Chocolate.

Mmmmmmm!

*smee* · « **Reply #8 on:** November 26, 2009, 04:42:22 PM »

Quote from: Brumby 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.

I put that down to too much coffee and fags

tellomon · « **Reply #9 on:** November 26, 2009, 04:43:09 PM »

Quote from: 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

Night of The Living Hooters.

Centuries · « **Reply #10 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.

*Ubbie Max* · « **Reply #11 on:** November 26, 2009, 11:11:33 PM »

All I know about them is, they don't taste too good. I prefer Cashews anyway.

Centuries · « **Reply #12 on:** November 26, 2009, 11:25:41 PM »

ubbie You ate some ?

*Ubbie Max* · « **Reply #13 on:** November 26, 2009, 11:29:58 PM »

Yeah, why not. They are peanuts & I'll give anything a go once.

*wheels* · « **Reply #14 on:** November 27, 2009, 12:35:52 AM »

Centuries,

I have googled

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

Centuries · « **Reply #15 on:** November 27, 2009, 02:08:44 AM »

Thanks wheels. I have been googling as well

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

tellomon · « **Reply #16 on:** November 27, 2009, 08:38:24 AM »

I know the problem seems to relate to one particular non-white peanut.

"That's racist!"

Centuries · « **Reply #17 on:** November 27, 2009, 12:23:46 PM »

Would light beige be more appropriate?

*CountessA* · « **Reply #18 on:** November 27, 2009, 02:25:18 PM »

Politically correct packing peanuts? What next! *laugh*

tellomon · « **Reply #19 on:** November 27, 2009, 03:30:40 PM »

PC KEVLAR!

Centuries · « **Reply #20 on:** November 27, 2009, 04:58:03 PM »

PC KEVLAR

cueperkins · « **Reply #21 on:** November 27, 2009, 05:48:12 PM »

Quote from: 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.

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....

Centuries · « **Reply #22 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

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

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

with an additive

tellomon · « **Reply #23 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?

mandurahmum · « **Reply #24 on:** November 28, 2009, 02:40:46 AM »

Dare I ask what is wrong with Flouride?

tellomon · « **Reply #25 on:** November 28, 2009, 02:14:47 PM »

Look it up!

*Brum6y* · « **Reply #26 on:** November 28, 2009, 04:05:44 PM »

Let me rephrase the question then...

What do you think is wrong with Flouride?

tellomon · « **Reply #27 on:** November 28, 2009, 04:09:02 PM »

The Nazis invented it.

*r3830* · « **Reply #28 on:** November 28, 2009, 08:07:28 PM »

'sup Tello???? At least ya won't get holes in ya dentures!

cueperkins · « **Reply #29 on:** November 29, 2009, 10:49:23 AM »

Quote from: Centuries on November 28, 2009, 02:20:02 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

with an additive

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.

cueperkins · « **Reply #30 on:** November 29, 2009, 10:52:10 AM »

Quote from: Brumby on November 28, 2009, 04:05:44 PM

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.

*smee* · « **Reply #31 on:** November 29, 2009, 12:18:21 PM »

yes and becareful of those riboflavins in your cornflakes ... nasty things riboflavins

Centuries · « **Reply #32 on:** November 29, 2009, 02:41:24 PM »

smee ,

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

tellomon · « **Reply #33 on:** November 29, 2009, 03:10:02 PM »

Styro-virus.

(Peanut Germs?)

*smee* · « **Reply #34 on:** November 29, 2009, 03:20:43 PM »

Quote from: tellomon on November 29, 2009, 03:10:02 PM

Styro-virus.

Im pretty sure he is a Kiwi cricketer !

*wheels* · « **Reply #35 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:

Centuries · « **Reply #36 on:** November 29, 2009, 08:51:46 PM »

wheels, I had contemplated posting an armed guard near the bag

Why bother

*smee* · « **Reply #37 on:** November 29, 2009, 09:13:31 PM »

Quote from: smee on November 29, 2009, 03:20:43 PM

Quote from: tellomon on November 29, 2009, 03:10:02 PM
Styro-virus.

Im pretty sure he is a Kiwi cricketer !

yep ... found him
http://hirank.blogspot.com/2007/04/styruss-wide-ball.html

Centuries · « **Reply #38 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