Recreation

Bicycle Helmets Save Children's Lives

Bicycle helmets made from impact-absorbing polystyrene-based plastics and composites contributed to a 60% decline in the U.S. death rate from bicycle-related injuries among children 14 and under during the period 1979-97.

Styrenics in water sports

You may already know that "ring" life floaters and children's pool toys stay afloat because they are made from polystyrene foam plastic, which has a highly buoyant closed-cell structure. (Closed cell foams totally encase the air bubbles that make up the foam and don't allow water to penetrate into the structure.) Even entire floating docks are kept safely afloat with polystyrene foam.