Did you know Styrofoam has many more uses than most people realize?
Most people know Styrofoam only for food containers, insulation, and packaging for cups, plates, trays, egg cartons, and similar items.
However, the material has a wider range of uses than the few listed above. Styrofoam and gasoline form a powerful mix that creates a highly flammable substance. But the outcome can be harmful if you do not use it properly.
Gasoline has a strong effect on Styrofoam when the two come into contact. This article explains what Styrofoam is and how it reacts when it meets gasoline and a few other substances, such as acetone and alcohol.
What Is Styrofoam?
Styrofoam is a type of plastic made from expanded polystyrene, which comes from petroleum. Its main ingredient is styrene. Workers refine styrene and turn it into polystyrene through a process called polymerization.
Next, they add an agent called hydrofluorocarbon to the polystyrene. Then they push the mixture through a machine and let it expand under pressure to make a foam board.
People use the Styrofoam from this chemical process for many things, like food containers, insulation, and packaging for fragile items such as cups, plates, and eggs. But research shows that this material does not break down in nature.
So here’s the big question: since Styrofoam doesn’t decompose, is it harmful to people and the environment?
Is Styrofoam Dangerous?
Styrofoam shows up in food containers, cups, and other household packaging, but it can seriously harm both people and the environment.
When you heat Styrofoam, it can release styrene gas, which is dangerous to your body. Studies show that styrene can cause skin irritation, fatigue, and headaches. That’s why Styrofoam is bad for human health.
Styrofoam is also very light. Because of this, wind can blow tiny pieces into rivers, lakes, and oceans, where water animals may eat them. The chemicals in Styrofoam can poison these animals.
Styrofoam breaks easily into small bits. Wind can carry these pieces across land, where other animals might eat them. Again, the chemicals inside can hurt them.
From the moment it’s made to the moment it’s thrown away, Styrofoam threatens the air, the environment, and living things. Making Styrofoam uses toxic chemical mixtures that pollute the air.
Also, most Styrofoam never gets reused or recycled. It ends up in landfills, where it takes up space and leaks harmful chemicals into the soil and water.
Still, some people have found a way to get value from Styrofoam waste: they use it with gasoline as a kind of glue.
What Happens If Gasoline Touches Styrofoam?
Gasoline has a strong effect on styrofoam. When gasoline touches styrofoam, it makes the material swell up and turn brittle. Over time, the styrofoam breaks down into a thick, sticky substance that catches fire very easily.
If you have items covered with styrofoam, keep them away from gasoline. Also, do not try the gasoline–styrofoam experiment at home. It can be extremely dangerous if you are not careful.
A mixture of Styrofoam and gasoline is one way to make napalm. During World War II, people used this mix along with benzene to create “Napalm B.” This is a very dangerous experiment to try.
What Does Mixing Styrofoam And Gas Make?
Styrofoam and gas mixture forms napalm. This is a strategy used in producing homemade napalm. Usually, when the Styrofoam is released into gasoline, the material breaks down and forms a sticky and gelatinous substance.
The styrofoam and gasoline reaction automatically causes the air in the styrofoam to escape, resulting in a wet and gooey substance. The outcome can be a mess. However, the substance is highly flammable; hence it must be kept out of the reach of fire.
The thick and sticky substance from the gas and styrofoam mixture can stick to the skin or any surface and burn at the same time when launched with fire. This is why it was useful war material during the Second World War.
What Will Dissolve Styrofoam?
Acetone is a powerful solvent that can dissolve Styrofoam just like sugar melts in hot water. If you pour a small amount of acetone into a bowl and add Styrofoam, it breaks down almost instantly.
Using acetone is one of the most effective ways to melt Styrofoam. This solvent occurs naturally and contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
People mainly use acetone in paint removers, nail polish removers, and varnish removers because it dissolves these materials so well.
Styrofoam and acetone do not mix. The strong chemicals in acetone dissolve Styrofoam just like they dissolve nail polish, paint, and varnish.
This is a major reason why industries use acetone to remove tough clogs from machinery.
Is Styrofoam Flammable?
Yes! Styrofoam is highly flammable. It catches fire at high temperatures. The material melts at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, ignites automatically with a spark around 680 degrees Fahrenheit, and auto-ignites at about 800 degrees Fahrenheit.
Burning Styrofoam is never a good way to dispose of it. It releases toxic gases like styrene monomer, carbon black, and carbon monoxide into the air.
Even though Styrofoam does not biodegrade, you can still get rid of it by converting it into something else or dissolving it in acetone.
Also, some organizations collect Styrofoam to use or discard it properly.
Is Napalm A War Crime?
Using napalm or Styrofoam-and-gasoline bombs on the battlefield is not a war crime. But using these weapons against “concentrations of civilians” is a war crime. Because of this, the United Nations (UN) banned the use of napalm against civilians in 1980.
However, militaries have created different versions and still use them around the world. This shift let forces move away from traditional napalm when targeting civilians.
Napalm sticks to surfaces and causes severe burns and destruction, which makes it especially dangerous when used near civilians. That same stickiness and destructive power is why mixing Styrofoam and gasoline to make homemade napalm is very risky.
What Does Styrofoam Do In A Molotov?
Styrofoam enables the fire in a Molotov cocktail to stick to the targeted areas once it is launched. Typically, the Molotov cocktail contains gasoline, alcohol, and a napalm-like substance (styrofoam).
When the wick in the Molotov cocktail is lit, and the bottle is launched against a target, whether a vehicle or building, the flammable substances will explode. At the same time, the styrofoam helps the fire stay glued to the target until it burns completely.
For instance, the Ukrainian defense ministry unveiled and distributed a recipe to enable civilians to make Styrofoam and gasoline Molotov cocktails that could stick to the targets as they were launched.
This made the use of Styrofoam and gasoline in Ukraine popular as they fought to defend their country against Russia.
Does Styrofoam Dissolve In Gasoline?
Yes, gasoline can dissolve Styrofoam. Along with acetone, it’s another strong solvent that breaks Styrofoam down and makes it fall apart.
However, the result is a very flammable mixture that can be dangerous if you don’t handle it carefully.
Some people use Styrofoam and gasoline as a roof sealant because the mixture turns into a thick, sticky material. In other words, even though this combo can be risky, it can also be useful when applied correctly.
Still, you must be extremely careful when using Styrofoam and gasoline as a homemade roof sealant.
If this mixture catches fire, the results can be disastrous. In fact, you should always wear full protective gear, like safety glasses, gloves, and other protective clothing, when handling it.
How do you destroy styrofoam?
Cutting large styrofoam blocks into smaller pieces is one of the best ways to break down the material before you toss it in a trash bag. But if you use a regular knife, you’ll end up with tiny styrofoam bits scattered everywhere.
Instead, use a hot knife to slice the big blocks into smaller cubes or tiny pieces. It cuts cleanly and won’t leave behind a mess of particles. You can also try an electric knife, an X-Acto knife, cookie cutters, or a foam-cutting saw to break down the styrofoam.
Once you’ve cut it up, pack the pieces into a trash bag. Then, reach out to Earth911.com or another local organization to arrange pickup or drop-off. Most of the time, Earth911 will ask you to type in “polystyrene” and your zip code to find the nearest drop-off location for your waste.
Does Alcohol Melt Styrofoam?
Gasoline and acetone are well-known solvents that dissolve Styrofoam, but other organic solvents like alcohol can also break it down.
Research shows that alcohol, hot or oily foods, and acidic items can partially break down Styrofoam, which can cause styrene to leach into the food or drink inside the container.
Because of this, using Styrofoam packs or containers for hot food or alcohol is not a good idea.
Drinking or eating from Styrofoam containers can be harmful to your body because of the styrene that comes from the polystyrene material the container is made of.
It’s better to use alternative food containers or cups instead of the regular Styrofoam ones you see in many restaurants and food vendor outlets.
Unfortunately, most people don’t know about the health risks of using these containers.
At What Temperature Does Styrofoam Catch On Fire?
Styrofoam will catch fire automatically when exposed to high temperatures around 680 degrees Fahrenheit. The material burns easily, so you must keep it away from open flames.
However, burning Styrofoam is a dangerous way to get rid of it. The burning process causes more harm than good.
Even though fire melts the material, burning polystyrene releases toxic styrene chemicals that can harm human health. Styrene has been linked to serious health problems like cancer, loss of vision and hearing, and breathing issues.
Therefore, do not take the risk of burning Styrofoam in an open flame, especially near kids or where people live.
Is Melting Styrofoam Toxic?
Melting Styrofoam by exposing it to fire can be extremely toxic. When the substance meets acid or heat, the melting process releases hazardous gas like styrene, which is a dangerous chemical to the human body.
Again, the best way to dispose of Styrofoam is to cut the big blocks into tiny pieces with an electric or hot knife. This is because a typical kitchen knife leaves particles when cutting the foam.
Once you cut the foam into tiny bits, pack everything into a trash bag and reach out to the recommended organization that collects Styrofoam waste. Always remember that exposing Styrofoam and gasoline to fire can cause serious damage.
Final Words
Indeed, a Styrofoam and gasoline mixture can be very disastrous if you do not handle it with care. Therefore, whether you try to make an alternative sealant out of melted Styrofoam and gasoline or you try to dispose of it, be sure to avoid bringing the substance into contact with open fire.
Meanwhile, if you do not have a need for the substance, there is no point in trying to experiment by making homemade napalm. This is especially for people with children who may want to try what they have seen older people do.
Lastly, do not attempt to burn used Styrofoam because it contains toxic pollutants. To stay safe, follow the recommendations above to discard them properly.