Abstract

Styrene is chemical used in the production of plastic, latex and some rubber articles. It is primarily absorbed by inhalation, but may also be absorbed through the skin. Most (97%) absorbed styrene is eliminated in the urine, with less than 3% eliminated in expired air.

This report summarises research on the potential health effects of occupational exposure to styrene. The most frequently reported ill effects are irritation of the eyes, mucus membranes and throat. Other common effects are related to central nervous system depression: fatigue, nausea, equilibrium disorders, headaches, mood swings, loss of colour perception, etc.

It is however difficult to draw definitive conclusions from the results of research to date. Most of the studies reviewed suffer from major weaknesses; these include inadequate description of exposure, insufficiently large study populations, and poor control of confounding factors such as simultaneous exposure to other chemicals. Only a few studies were able to distinguish between short- and long-term effects of styrene exposure on health.