Module 6

Module 6—Petrochemicals

Reflect on the Big Picture

 

Plastics for food storage—often made of polypropylene and polystyrene—are tested for safety. Tests have shown that polypropylene can be heated to high temperatures without any leeching of monomers into the food or beverage the container holds. Heating or exposing polystyrene to alcohol or oil, however, will cause a breakdown of the polymer, which then leeches some styrene monomers into the food or beverage.

 

The plastics industry, a subset of the petrochemical industry, is addressing safety and environmental concerns in several ways. For example, the recycle codes on plastic products provide recycling information and tell consumers how to safely use each product. The industry is also adding a variety of molecules to increase plastic’s ability to biodegrade. In Lesson 6 you will learn about bioplastics, which can totally degrade.

 

Module 6: Lesson 5 Assignment

 

There is no Assignment for this lesson.

 

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