Dioxin is a substance generated by the reactions of carbon, hydrogen and chloride.
In theory, dioxin will not be emitted when only polystyrene foam is burnt since polystyrene foam does not contain chloride.

But because a very small quantity of salinity exists in the air, dioxin can be generated through a reaction with salinity.
Nonetheless, no dioxin was detected in the polystyrene foam burning test conducted by an outside research institute under contract with the Association.

(See Table 1: Unused Polystyrene Foam Material and Table 2: Used Fish Container.)

Dioxin is said to be most prevalent when it is burnt at comparatively low temperatures from 250 degrees Celsius to 400 degrees Celsius with the presence of chloride.
In these conditions, sources of carbon and hydrogen, namely combustibles, are potential sources of dioxin.
But no particular materials can be identified as the source.

Under Ministry of Health and Welfare rules, a measure to prevent the generation dioxin should be taken, namely 'the structure of incineration facilities should permit combustion at high temperature of 800 degrees Celsius or more for at least two seconds and should also discharge exhaust gas by rapidly cooling to 200 degrees Celsius or less.'


Table 1 Results of measurement of dioxin and similar substances
Burning test: 800 degrees Celsius-800 degrees Celsius-800 degrees Celsius
Test material: unused polystyrene foam Material (globular shape)