"Paper or plastic" might be the eternal question, but for many in the food service industry, the question often becomes "paper or Styrofoam?"

The debate about the use of Styrofoam has been raging for years. Some businesses prefer Styrofoam because it's cheaper than paper and maintains temperature more effectively. But many scientists say that Styrofoam is harmful to the environment and human health. And while the debate goes on, thousands of Penn State students continue to use Styrofoam products every day at eateries across campus.

David Gingher, assistant director of food services, said Styrofoam has been used consistently at Union Street restaurants in the HUB-Robeson Center for the last five or six years and will continue to be used.

"There are several issues — cost being one of them. When we had paper cups, people were doubling up on them," Gingher said.

Al Matyasovsky, supervisor of central support services in Office of Physical Plant, also said the use of Styrofoam on campus is appropriate.

"They're doing a responsible thing by finding a low-cost plate, cup and fork to keep food costs down on campus," Matyasovsky said.

Not all eateries on campus will continue to use Styrofoam. However, Findlay Commons manager Chuck Wakefield said he plans to change over

to paper products at The Big Onion Marketplace and Eatery and other Findlay restaurant locations in the near future.

"At our current level of consumption, the Styrofoam cups will last to March and then we'll go to straight paper," Wakefield said.

But environmentalists such as Joshua Pearce, a graduate student and instructor of science, technology and society, want to throw out the "paper or Styrofoam" question entirely.

"It's one of those pesky things that you see in the landfills that are never going to go away," Pearce said of the product.

He pointed to the non-biodegradable nature of Styrofoam and the possible health risks involved in producing and using Styrofoam products as reasons for it not to be used on campus.

Pearce said styrene, benzene and ethylene — all used in Styrofoam production — are hazardous and toxic materials that "could cause cancer." He also said food or drinks packaged in Styrofoam could leak styrene, which he said is a known neurotoxin and suspected carcinogen, into peoples' bodies.

"Styrene is not the most toxic substance known to man — you're not going to drop over dead — but it's not recommended," Pearce said.

Instead, he advocates the use of reusable plastic mugs.

"If we could get the university to subsidize mugs for everybody, that would be the best option," he said.

Another option Pearce proposes is a "small increase in the cost of coffee for environmentally destructive consumers using Styrofoam cups in order to offset the initial cost of the plastic mugs."

Pearce also said that the mugs available for purchase in such places as Union Street should be marketed better so more people would use them.

Students have varying feelings about the use of Styrofoam products.

"I can't really fault a business that needs to make money," Ron Martin (junior-finance) said.

Martin said he doesn't have a reusable mug because "it's not really feasible to walk around campus with a mug."

Heather Ewing (freshman-accounting) said she doesn't like using Styrofoam cups because she's concerned about their environmental impact.

"It bothers me, but that is all there is for me to use," she said.