A BOUQUET of roses for Universiti Sains Malaysia authorities for banning the use of polystyrene for packing food in the campus USM bans use of white coffins (The Star, Jan 8).

Polystyrene has been used indiscriminately in Malaysia for packing steaming hot food without any guidelines or consideration as to its suitability.

Plastic wrap has been used in packing hot cakes. I understand that cakes with a layer of oil (butter, margarine etc) will melt the plastic wrap which will enter our body when we consume the cake.

What will be the result in the long run has not been established. Are we going to wait for cancer or some other deadly disease to become a number one killer before we consider setting up a research unit for this purpose?

EUSOF IZZUDIN SHAIK MOHD,

Penang.

Source: The Star – January 9, 2008