In the modern world, we, as despicable human beings, have consumed the majority of the raw materials of all living organisms on Earth. We have also produced the most waste of all living organisms on Earth. From food scraps to plastic to carbon dioxide, we have polluted this planet to the limit. The existence of the human race has turned our home into a giant landfill. Among the many pollutants we put into the environment, there is one that stands out: plastic. Plastic was created to be a convenient and economical material for household use, but it has caused many problems such as animal deaths and soil and water contamination. One specific type of plastic that has affected the community is Styrofoam. Polystyrene, more commonly known as expanded polystyrene, has created serious problems including problems related to waste disposal, global warming and cancer. From its original use as an industrial material in the early 20th century to its current use in packaging, polystyrene has been proven to cause cancer, pollute the environment, and cause a myriad of environmental and community problems. The history of polystyrene begins in 1839, when polystyrene was discovered by a German pharmacist named Eduard Simon who was completely unaware of the various effects that the chemical and physical composition of polystyrene would cause. Styrofoam, also known as Styrofoam, is an aromatic polymer made from styrene monomers. When it was discovered, EduardSimon isolated it from natural resin, a known source of natural plastic. Later, in 1922, Hermann Staudinger published his research on the rubber- and plastic-like structure of polystyrene, which earned him a Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The complete chemical-physical characteristics......middle of paper......foam cups as reported in 2012 by Go Green Especially in Asia, the lack of bans and regulations has accelerated the accumulation of polystyrene in the environment. Overall Styrofoam is a major global problem affecting regions from Asia to North America. Figure 1 With 25 billion polystyrene cups thrown away every year (Go Green, Green Living), polystyrene represents a problem for the entire world. From its health effects to its accumulation in landfills, polystyrene is a major pollutant. It is used in food packaging, insulation and preservation, and its light weight and economical price make it easy for businesses. It leaks styrene, contaminating water, affecting humans and animals, and it's not easy on the environment. From its discovery in 1839 to its widespread use in the early 21st century, it has been a boon to business but a curse to the environment..