Styrene
Hazard Recognition
Health effects of styrene include irritation of the skin, eyes, and the upper respiratory tract. Acute exposure may also result in gastrointestinal effects. Chronic exposure affects the central nervous system showing symptoms such as depression, headache, fatigue, weakness, and may cause minor effects on kidney function. The following references aid in recognizing occupational hazards and health effects associated with styrene.
- Styrene. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), (May 1994). Provides an Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) document that includes acute toxicity data for styrene.
- Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Styrene. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 83-119, (September 1983). Includes health effects, hazard recognition, and worker protection information for styrene.
- PubChem – Styrene. The National Library of Medicine (NLM).
- Report on Carcinogens (RoC). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Toxicology Program (NTP). Identifies and discusses agents, substances, mixtures, or exposure circumstances that may pose a health hazard due to their carcinogenicity. The listing of substances in the RoC only indicates a potential hazard and does not establish the exposure conditions that would pose cancer risks to individuals.
- Styrene. NTP classification: Reasonably anticipated to be a humans carcinogen.
- ToxFAQs™ for Styrene. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), (June 2012). Answers the most frequently asked health questions about styrene.
- Styrene (CASRN 100-42-5). Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Discusses the health effects of styrene.
- Styrene. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Lists styrene as a Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) under the National Emissions Standard Hazardous Air Pollutants section of its Clean Air Act.
- Styrene Monomer. New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet, (November 2011). Provides a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from styrene exposure.
- Styrene. California Department of Health Services, Hazard Evaluation System and Information Service (HESIS), (Revised May 1990). Includes information on health effects, testing, and legal exposure limits of styrene.
- Code of Practice: Styrene. Government of Western Australia, (December 1996). Provides a brief description of short and long term health effects of styrene exposure.
- International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Summarizes essential health and safety information.