Development of a program for the monitoring of neurotoxic effects caused by occupational exposure to styrene (Phases 1 and 2)

Abstract

Styrene is an organic solvent that is used particularly extensively in the plastics sector, and that has recognized effects on the nervous system. Yet, there are no biological monitoring protocols for the early detection of neurotoxic effects caused by occupational exposure to styrene. In the first phase of this project, environmental and toxicological research identified high-risk workstations in three fibre glass factories, at which high styrene exposure was linked to neurotoxic effects. Modifications of workstations and work practices, aimed at reducing styrene exposure, were communicated to the companies involved. The second phase of the project will verify the effectiveness of the suggested modifications. The same environmental and toxicological measurements and the same test of nervous system functions were performed in the same factories and on the same workers. These modifications led to a decrease in styrene exposure in one of the factories and an improvement in short-term memory, motor perception speed, precision and manual dexterity. The workers also felt more energized and less aggressive. In the two plants where exposure levels remained unchanged, there was no difference between the two phases. The protocol applied in this study may be useful for the preventive monitoring of the neurotoxic efects of exposure to styrene.

Produced Under this Project

Scientific Publications

La qualité des démarches de surveillance biologique de l'exposition
Truchon G.
Source :
Travail et santé, vol. 9, no 2, 1993, p. 48-51
Colour vision loss and styrene exposure in a reinforced plastics plant
Mergler D., Campagna D., Frenette B., Bélanger S., Huel G., Truchon G., Ostiguy C., Drolet D.
Source :
in Fourth International Symposium on Neurobehavioral Methods and Effects in Occupational and Environmental Health (4th : July 8-11, 1991 : Tokyo, Japan), 1991
Visual dysfunction among styrene exposed workers
Campagna D., Mergler D., Huel G., Bélanger S., Truchon G., Ostiguy C., Drolet D.
Source :
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, vol. 21, 1995, p. 382-390
Surveillance des effets neurotoxiques de l'exposition au styrène en milieu de travail. 1- Évaluation environnementale et surveillance biologique de l'exposition
Truchon G., Ostiguy C., Drolet D., Mergler D., Campagna D., Bélanger S., Larribe F., Huel G.
Source :
Travail et santé, vol. 8, no 2, 1992, p. S11-S14
Surveillance des effets neurotoxiques de l'exposition au styrène en milieu de travail. 2- Altérations neurophysiologiques et comportementales
Mergler D., Campagna D., Bélanger S., Larribe F., Huel G., Truchon G., Ostiguy C., Drolet D.
Source :
Travail et santé, vol. 8, no 3, 1992, p. S16-S21
Surveillance of early neurotoxic dysfunction
Mergler D., Huel G., Bélanger S., Bowler R. M., Truchon G., Drolet D., Ostiguy C.
Source :
NeuroToxicology, vol. 17, 1996
Bilan de l’utilisation de la dosimétrie passive par le laboratoire de l’IRSST pour l’évaluation des solvants
Bisson M.-F., Drolet D.
Source :
in La prévention au troisième millénaire: l'action au quotidien : Congrès de l'Association québécoise pour l'hygiène, la santé et la sécurité du travail / AQHSST, (22e : 24-26 mai, 2000 : Québec, Canada), 2000, 4 p
Early surveillance of neurotoxic dysfunction associated with styrene exposure
Mergler D., Huel G., Bélanger S., Bowler R. M., Truchon G., Drolet D., Ostiguy C.
Source :
in International Neurotoxicology Association / INA, (June 25-30, 1995 : Seattle, U.S.A.), 1995
Perte de vision des couleurs et exposition au styrène dans une usine de plastique renforcé
Campagna D., Mergler D., Frenette B., Truchon G., Ostiguy C., Drolet D.
Source :
in 23e Congrès annuel de la Société de toxicologie du Canada, (23e : 1-2 décembre, 1990 : Montréal, Canada). 1990
Visual dysfunction among styrene exposed workers
Campagna D., Mergler D., Bélanger S., Huel G., Truchon G., Ostiguy C., Drolet D.
Source :
in Ninth International Symposium on Epidemiology in Occupational Health, (9th : September 23-25, 1992 : Cincinnati, Ohio), 1992
Altération des fonctions visuelles chez des travailleurs exposés au styrène
Campagna D., Mergler D., Bélanger S., Huel G., Truchon G., Ostiguy C., Drolet D.
Source :
in Congrès de l'Association canadienne-française pour l’avancement des sciences / ACFAS, (60e : mai 1992 : Montréal, Canada), s.l., ACFAS, 1992
Visual dysfunction among styrene exposed workers
Campagna D., Mergler D., Huel G., Truchon G., Ostiguy C., Drolet D.
Source :
in Proceedings of the International Symposium of Epidemiology in Occupational Health, (1996), National Institute on Occupational Health, 1996

Additional Information

Type: Project

Number: 0092-0170

Status: Completed

Research Field: Chemical and Biological Hazard Prevention

Team:

Donna Mergler (Université du Québec à Montréal )
Guy Huel (Université du Québec à Montréal )
Ginette Truchon (IRSST)