The Committee for Preservation of Wildlife is trying to create awareness about the hazards of using styrene “to go” containers.

The group wants to encourage the campus to use less styrene products, said Renee Kopulos, a graduate student in biology who is a member of the committee.

Styrene, which is used in white carry-out containers and drink glasses, is a toxin that causes mutation in DNA and causes cancer, said Courtney Nash, vice president of CPW.

“Some of the styrene gets leeched out from the boxes when there’s hot food or acidic beverages.”

The amount of styrene that is ingested is small and there are no studies about how much styrene ingestion causes bodily harm, Nash said.

The group is concerned about the environmental effects of styrene since large amounts of styrene products consumed at NIU are being thrown away and are not recycled.

Since the beginning of the semester, the group has put table stands in all the residence dining halls to inform students about the health and environmental effects of styrene.

Styrene containers and glasses are used in the cafeterias, said Ralph Chaplin, director of residential dining.

Starting this week, the CPW is conducting surveys in the Stevenson Towers cafeteria about students’ preferences in using alternatives to the styrene containers.

“The university would be very willing to receive those surveys and consider their results,” Chaplin said.

He said paper products and clear plastic containers could be an alternative. In the past, silverware was used in the Lincoln dining hall before being replaced.

“They’re convenient,” said Mimi Majekodunmi, a sophomore biology major and community adviser in Lincoln Hall. “I get to take my food and warm it up later.”

After hearing about the campaign, Majekodunmi has substituted two plates for the styrene containers, using one to cover her food.