It’s possible that you are currently sitting on a cushion made of polyurethane foam. Akhmad Bayuri/iStock/Getty Images Plus is featured in the text. The Research Brief is a succinct overview of intriguing scholarship. It focuses on the essential concept. Our research has uncovered a plant-derived alternative to polyurethane foam, which eliminates any potential health hazards associated with the product. It is commonly used for insulation, car seats, and other kinds of padding, and also happens to be quite eco-friendly. You can find polyurethane foams in various applications that require a light material for structural support or padding. Usually, polyurethanes are made with chemicals that have raised questions about them causing cancer. The process to produce polyurethanes is generally a quick one, utilizing polyols and isocyanates which both are products of the petroleum industry. Significant effort has been expended in attempting to locate alternatives to the polyol element of polyurethane foams, yet the isocyanate substance has for the most part remained unchanged, notwithstanding its adverse effects on human wellness. Bio-based foams can do away with the requirement of having that part. These bio-based foams don’t necessitate the use of petroleum products. Srikanth Pilla, CC BY-ND.
