The Hill News

A group of House Democrats are officially objecting to the lower chamber's switch back to Styrofoam dining ware, saying that chemical components in the material could contain carcinogens. 

Nine Democrats have signed onto a letter to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and other Republican leaders, asking them to reconsider the switch away from recyclable to polystyrene-based foam containers. 

{mosads}"The irresponsibility of the decision to use polystyrene foam without considering other options is all the more egregious because the cafeteria is not merely used by House members and our staffers," the lawmakers write. "The health of constituents and visitors to the Hill who eat in the cafeteria will be impacted by this short-sighted decision."

The change to Styrofoam caused a stir among some staffers and Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill late last month, when the recyclable material preferred by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was replaced. Lawmakers mostly raised concerns about Styrofoam's impact on the environment.

Republicans have downplayed the harmful health and environmental effects of Styrofoam and said that the composting program! in place under Pelosi cost too much money and did not do enough to bring down energy consumption.

But the Democratic letter cited toxicology studies that claim polystyrene contains "possible human carcinogens" and could present other health challenges, such as headaches, hearing loss, central nervous system dysfunction and difficulty sleeping.

"Eliminating polystyrene-related health impacts will result in fewer lost work days and lower heath insurance costs for the House and its staff," the lawmakers write. "This benefit alone should outweigh any cost savings from using polystyrene containers."

The "Dear Colleague" notice soliciting signatures from other lawmakers, which was circulated by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), is titled "Cancer Causing Cups in the Cafeteria?"

The other lawmakers who signed the letter are Reps. James Moran (D-Va.), George Miller (D-Calif.), Mike Honda (D-Calif.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Susan Davis ! (D-Calif.) and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine). 

The full let! ter is p asted below the jump:

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