Abstract

Styrene is used, in conjunction with other solvents, in the fabrication of plastic products. Further research is needed on the influence of various plastic additives on styrene-induced hepatotoxicity, and the early detection of such toxicity.

Urinary metabolites and indices of toxicity were measured in rats exposed to styrene, either alone or in combination with other solvents.

This study demonstrated that styrene and its hepatic metabolites are moderately hepatotoxic, and that this toxicity is potentiated in the presence of other chemicals such as acetone, acrylonitrile, and methyl methacrylate.

The observed interactions demonstrate the importance of studying the effects of styrene in combination with other additives, and of designing a predictive model based on in vitro studies of tissue- or cell- culture systems.