Styrene

Latest Edit: Iva 2012-08-04 (EDT)

Styrene is one of many toxic environmental chemicals. It is used in the production of synthetic rubbers, synthetic latex, polyesters, and plastic products.

Sources

• Raw materials for the manufacture of styrene, such as benzene and ethylene, are supplied primarily from the petroleum industry.

• Automotive emissions, tobacco smoke, released from building materials, carpet backing. Low-level exposure may occur through ingestion of food products packaged in polystyrene containers.

• Household: products such as packaging materials, toys, hobbies, crafts, house wares and appliances, electrical and thermal insulation, fiberglass, pipes, automobile parts, foam cups.

• Industy: emissions from styrene production and disposal procedures- chemical spills, landfills and industrial discharges,industries and operations concerned with the fabrication and application of plastics- styrene/polystyrene manufacturing plants, resin manufacturers, synthetic rubber plants, boat and automobile plants, laminators.

Health Impact

• Depression of the central nervous system.
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, impaired balance, manual dexterity and reaction time, difficulty concentrating.
• Headache
• Irritation of mucous membranes, dermatitis, nausea, fatigue.
• Genotoxic.

Metabolism

• XStyrene is metabolized in the liver by cytochrome P-450 dependent multifunction oxidase enzymes, into its epoxide derivatives. The major metabolic pathway involves the sequential oxidation to mandelic and phenylglyoxylic acids. Styrene oxides are also conjugated with glutathione.

• Styrene and its metabolites accumulate in lipid depots. Its slow elimination may indicate the possibility for bioaccumulation from chronic exposure.

• The sum of metabolites, mendelate and phenylglyoxylate exhibit a higher correlation ratio than the separate levels of analytes. A summation value is reported on the patient's Environmental Pollutants Profile.