What Polystyrene can do to PVC

[Guitarist]

Took this photo a few days ago. Lots of cabling had been affected where several years ago the "cavity wall people" had blown insulation and it had found its way into the meter box.

 

[Stroppy]

I had to deal with some old 1mm T&E in a loft laying on polystyrene granules, and was so brittle and degraded that as soon as it moved even slightly the sheath and insulation cracked and dropped off in up to 2 inch long lumps. Worst I've ever seen!

 

[vjsmarwick]

all the cables i have come across that have been in polystyrene the cables are fine they have become stuck to the polystyrene but the coating it leaves on the cable just comes off like a coat of polish. is it something to do with the cold this far north that i dont have the problems you guys describe ?