Bubbles in bubble wrap contain a cheap, but toxic gas.

Myth or fact: Bubbles in bubble wrap contain a cheap, but toxic gas.

That is a myth. It is not clear where this myth comes from. It's an urban legend, probably stemming from the old game of "telephone". Bubble wrap breaks down into toxic gases when it decomposes since it is made out of plastic. Someone heard "toxic gas" and "bubble wrap" in the same sentence and turned popping bubbles in bubble wrap into a game of Russian Roulette! It is possible the myth also comes from environment activists. This continues when we see ads for environmentally friendly, non-toxic bubble wrap, (which is biodegradable), as opposed to the old fashioned "toxic", (non "green"), bubble wrap. When bubble wrap is advertised as non-toxic, people will believe that maybe the old stuff really was toxic.

Bubble wrap is a transparent sheet made from polyethylene, or what is more commonly known as plastic. This plastic sheet contains air filled pods which resemble bubbles. The substance in the bubbles is air. Air is 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and 1% Argon. This air is trapped between sheets of plastic as these sheets pass through the rollers in the factory. The air in the bubbles could contain fumes from the plastic or the factory, but the air is not harmful, or the factory workers would be dead. Bubble wrap is used mainly for packaging, as it provides a cushion surface to prevent damage. Bubble wrap is made of polyetheyne which is a petroleum product.

After the research that I have underwent, I have concluded that the myth is false. The myth is "debunked" on The Misappliance of Science website, located at http://tafkac.org/faq2k/science_10.html and on a Skeptic Files website at http://www.skepticfiles.org/faq/urbfolk3.htm . Bubble wrap is made of polyetheyne which is a petroleum product. As the plastic, or polyetheyne, breaks down, toxic chemicals are released. Breaking down is actually the decomposing process the plastic will undergo after a long amount of time, because plastic is non-biodegradable. It is at this time the toxic gases will release from plastic, not when the bubbles on the bubble wrap are popped. To further prove this I have tested the myth myself, by inhaling the air from a sheet of bubble wrap, and I have lived to tell the tale. If you still need further proof, try testing it yourself. It is a great stress reliever!

Other sources used to create this blog are listed below.

http://www.articlesbase.com/small-business-articles/bubble-wrap-436909.html

http://tafkac.org/faq2k/science_10.html

http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/the-benefits-of-using-biodegradable-bubble-wrap-821376.html

http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/109/1/Earth-friendly-packing-materials.html

http://www.sealedair.com/products/protective/bubble/bubble_wrap.htm