Styrofoam ...toxic?...

Got Worms? · May 3, 2014

I'm considering broken blue, and pink board insulation as a drainage filler for some of my plants. I want to cover the bottom 2" with small (1" chunk) pieces to allow my plants to dry out after heavy rains. It's not unusual to have an inch of standing water for 8-12 hours here on this flood plain.

Does anyone know of any toxicity issues that might come into play, and if not ...how come I haven't heard of others using it? I can't believe I'm the only one that's thought of it.

Charlie

P.S. I should say this would be for my bucket plantings.

rnewste · May 3, 2014

If you are intent on filling the bottom of a container with inert ingredients - I would recommend using large particle Perlite. The styrofoam might "float up" over time in the water and cause problems - nevermind the possible toxicity issue.

Perlite costs about $4.00 per cubic foot at Hydro shops. Cheap!

Raybo

mick5500 · May 3, 2014

I am making self watering containers and did some research and using Elmer's Styrofoam boards.

They have an acid free which is about $3.50 per 20 by 30 board.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Elmer-s-Ac...6-2pk/17011427
I am new at this and I needed something for self watering containers and this is all I could find .
There were some at Home Depot for wall insulation 4 feet by 8 feet for $8.00 but I could not determine if the contents would be harmful for plants.
Any one else with info please chime in.
Thanks

mick5500 · May 3, 2014

Do they make the perlite in sheets that I can use for the base of my self watering tote. My lids will not work(okay I cut them to short) so I need something safe to use as a 20 by 30 base ?

Thanks

kurt · May 3, 2014

http://www.bios.niu.edu/news_events/...olystyrene.pdf

It is not good for you over time.

Got Worms? · May 4, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurt

http://www.bios.niu.edu/news_events/...olystyrene.pdf

It is not good for you over time.

That explains it! Thanks Kurt.

Yeah, when something seems too good to be true...

Charlie

amideutch · May 4, 2014

Have you thought about using fabric pots?

Ami

Chucker · May 4, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurt

http://www.bios.niu.edu/news_events/...olystyrene.pdf

It is not good for you over time.

I don't know if Styrofoam is god or not, but the linked article is not a scientific paper, just somebody who wants NIU Resident Halls to ban polystyrene. There are no citations to any of the data or studies in that paper. I'm in the "not everything on the internet is true" camp.

Cole_Robbie · May 4, 2014

There are different types of styrofoam as well. The insulation board is made to be a permanent product, as compared to a coffee cup. Products made for temporary use would be the first ones to break down.

I personally wouldn't worry about styrofoam. Soft vinyl plastic like shower curtains and pond liners is much more susceptible to toxic leeching. The odds are that most of us are carrying pthalate chemicals in our blood right now: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalate#Health_effects

kurt · May 4, 2014

http://www.ejnet.org/plastics/polystyrene/health.html
This might clear up some questions.
http://www.olivegreen.com.sg/pdf/Sty...0Marketing.pdf

clkeiper · May 4, 2014

Why do you need it in sheets? will a piece of screen do over or under the perlite to keep it from washing out? I would recommend the perlite, too. It won't float and it makes for excellent aeration and when you dump it out (if you need to) no need to pick through and recycle or throw it all in the trash, you can put it all in the garden ot flowerbed or even in a depression in the lawn.

mick5500 · May 4, 2014

This is my first year doing all containers( I can not plant in the ground due to mostly high winds and less sun in the shielded areas). I used to plant in the ground when I lived in Pasadena ,CA Now Victorville, CA)
I liked the idea of self watering totes only because I thought the plants would be healthier from root rot using a 25 gallon tote with the reservoir.
It is not a matter of money for the most part. I can buy 15 gallon basic black plastic containers from a hydroponics store for $7.00 each but a small earth container is $30.00

I will have about 35 plants mostly tomato and peppers in the next month. Half are still in 6 inch pots. I could use some advice .
So starting from scratch on the rest I have to plant ,using cheap 10 to 15 gallon black plastic containers with perlite and weed blocker screen or window screen sheets be the best way to go ? Do not need to be worry about self watering aspect as I will not be away much this summer
Thanks

May 3, 2014	#1
Got Worms? Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NY Zone 5b/6a Posts: 546	Styrofoam ...toxic?... I'm considering broken blue, and pink board insulation as a drainage filler for some of my plants. I want to cover the bottom 2" with small (1" chunk) pieces to allow my plants to dry out after heavy rains. It's not unusual to have an inch of standing water for 8-12 hours here on this flood plain. Does anyone know of any toxicity issues that might come into play, and if not ...how come I haven't heard of others using it? I can't believe I'm the only one that's thought of it. Charlie P.S. I should say this would be for my bucket plantings. Last edited by Got Worms?; May 3, 2014 at 03:34 PM. Reason: Add P.S.

May 3, 2014	#4
mick5500 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Victorville ,ca Posts: 23	Do they make the perlite in sheets that I can use for the base of my self watering tote. My lids will not work(okay I cut them to short) so I need something safe to use as a 20 by 30 base ? Thanks Last edited by mick5500; May 3, 2014 at 04:27 PM.

May 3, 2014	#5
kurt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Homestead,Everglades City Fl. Posts: 2,500	http://www.bios.niu.edu/news_events/...olystyrene.pdf It is not good for you over time. __________________ KURT

May 4, 2014	#7
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Have you thought about using fabric pots? Ami __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

May 4, 2014	#10
kurt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Homestead,Everglades City Fl. Posts: 2,500	http://www.ejnet.org/plastics/polystyrene/health.html This might clear up some questions. http://www.olivegreen.com.sg/pdf/Sty...0Marketing.pdf __________________ KURT Last edited by kurt; May 4, 2014 at 08:08 PM. Reason: Additional warnings

May 3, 2014	#2
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	If you are intent on filling the bottom of a container with inert ingredients - I would recommend using large particle Perlite. The styrofoam might "float up" over time in the water and cause problems - nevermind the possible toxicity issue. Perlite costs about $4.00 per cubic foot at Hydro shops. Cheap! Raybo

May 4, 2014	#9
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	There are different types of styrofoam as well. The insulation board is made to be a permanent product, as compared to a coffee cup. Products made for temporary use would be the first ones to break down. I personally wouldn't worry about styrofoam. Soft vinyl plastic like shower curtains and pond liners is much more susceptible to toxic leeching. The odds are that most of us are carrying pthalate chemicals in our blood right now: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalate#Health_effects

May 4, 2014	#11
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	Why do you need it in sheets? will a piece of screen do over or under the perlite to keep it from washing out? I would recommend the perlite, too. It won't float and it makes for excellent aeration and when you dump it out (if you need to) no need to pick through and recycle or throw it all in the trash, you can put it all in the garden ot flowerbed or even in a depression in the lawn. __________________ carolyn k