Medical Applications

The unique properties of polystyrene also make it an excellent fit for the medical field. Many products used in the front lines of life-saving research and medicine are made from polystyrene due to its optical clarity and ease of sterilization:

• In a clinical setting, polystyrene can be found in tissue culture trays, pipettes, and roller bottles

• Prescription medicines often come in a polystyrene pharmaceutical container

• Life-saving organ transplants can be shipped across the country in coolers that benefit from polystyrene’s insulating properties

In a clinical setting, polystyrene can be found in tissue culture trays, pipettes, and roller bottles. Prescription medicines often come in a polystyrene pharmaceutical container. Life-saving organ transplants can be shipped across the country in coolers that benefit from polystyrene’s insulating properties.

During the recent COVID-19 crisis, polystyrene contributed to successful diagnostic and intervention programs, from the Petri dishes and test tubes where viruses were cultured and studied to test kit containers used for early diagnosis, and even syringes delivering life-saving vaccines.