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Description

Styrene is a widely used solvent and volatile organic compound (VOC). Styrene is used in the manufacture of plastics, synthetic rubber, resins, insulators, coatings, and paints, and therefore a possible industrial pollutant of water, air and soil. Because it is a component of car exhaust, styrene is a major contributor to photochemical smog and air pollution.

Styrene is found in cigarette smoke, and in a number of household and building products, including foam cups and food containers, insulation, fiberglass, pipes, luggage, floor waxes and polishes, paints, varnishes, adhesives (epoxy resin in particular), putty, metal cleaners, and carpet backing.

Styrene vaporizes easily, emitting a somewhat floral scent. Many of the above products may release styrene during and after opening and using, making it a likely indoor air pollutant. Children may breathe styrene where indoor or outdoor air quality is low and ingest residues of styrene in food packaged or heated in foam.

Health Effects

Immediate Health Effects

If SWALLOWED, styrene is Not Available
If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, styrene is Not Available
If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), styrene is Not Available

Longterm or Delayed Health Effects

Neurotoxin = Can harm brain and central nervous system
Suspected Endocrine Disruptor = May interfere with, mimic or block hormones

Other

If inhaled at high concentrations, can cause nervous system effects such as depression, concentration problems, muscle weakness, fatigue, and nausea. Chronic occupational exposures have caused eye problems.
Eye, nose, and throat irritation if inhaled.
Chromosomal damage.
In test animals, has caused damage to the liver, kidneys, brain, and lungs when ingested.

How Exposures Occur

Cigarette Smoke

Children can inhale styrene from secondhand cigarette smoke.

Drinking Water

Styrene can leach into groundwater and contaminate drinking water supplies when it’s released into the environment. Styrene is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, which requires regular testing for styrene in public water supplies.

Food Flavoring

Food processing companies use small amounts of styrene as a flavoring agent in foods, including some kid favorites — ice cream and candy.

Food Packaged in Polystyrene Foam or Plastic

Children can ingest small amounts of styrene from foods contained in Styrofoam and polystyrene plastic, which may leach styrene into foods and drinks contained within, particularly into those that are hot or high-fat, or contain alcohol.

Indoor Air

Styrene fumes vaporize easily from some building materials and some consumer products, such as floor waxes and polishes, paints, varnishes, adhesives (epoxy resin in particular), and metal cleaners. Children may be exposed at any time, but especially just after such products have been used, applied or installed.

Outdoor Air

Children can inhale styrene fumes from automobile exhaust or from industrial emissions, if they reside near manufacturing facilities.

Significant Statistics

Styrene was detected in 100% of people studied in a 1982 survey of human fat tissue conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Styrene, CASRN: 100-42-5 (Human Health Effects). Toxnet Hazardous Substances Data Bank, National Library of Medicine, Revised November 1, 1994.http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~AAAd6ayNa:1:human

In 1993, over 10 billion pounds of styrene were produced in the U.S.

Styrene Fact Sheet: Support Document (CAS No.100-42-5). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, November 1994.http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/chemfact/styre-sd.txt

Styrene is one of the most active generators of smog in the atmosphere.

Chemical Fact Sheet: Styrene. Spectrum.http://www.speclab.com/compound/c100425.htm

U.S. industrial facilities released over 56 million pounds of styrene into the environment, primarily into the air, in 1998, according to the U.S. EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory.

Styrene Chemical Backgrounder. National Safety Council.http://www.nsc.org/library/chemical/styrene.htm

Solutions

How to detect styrene

Plastic or foam containers made of polystyrene can be identified by the #6 or PS, usually located inside the triangle on the bottom of containers.
Before purchasing or using, read labels or request a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for all paints, adhesives, stains, and other products that may contain harsh solvents such as styrene. Avoid products labeled “Poison” (extremely toxic) or “Danger,” (very toxic, flammable, or corrosive), in particular.

Some MSDS are available on the internet at Vermont Safety Information Resources Inc.
Styrene is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires that community water systems monitor styrene levels, and make public when levels exceed the set Maximum Contamination Level (MCL). The MCL for styrene has also been set at 0.1 parts per million of water.

Community water systems are required to produce annual consumer confidence reports and mail them to every water customer.

If your water source is a well, your water is not monitored for contaminants as is required for public water supplies by the Safe Drinking Water Act. Private testing of the water is necessary.

Even if your water comes from a community water system, contaminant levels can vary from house to house. You can have your water tested by sending samples to a certified laboratory.

You can search for water quality reports from your water provider, obtain information on well water testing and find a list of state-certified drinking water laboratories at the U.S. EPA’s Office of Water’s website or call the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 800-426-4791.

How to minimize exposure to styrene

Reduce your children’s exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke.
Avoid foods packaged or served is polystyrene foam or polystyrene plastic, denoted by a #6 or PS in the triangle on the bottom. In its rigid, non-foam form, PS is often used to make clear clam-shell deli containers, clear plastic cups, and white or colored plastic forks, knives, and spoons. Hot, fatty or foods containing alcohol may be particularly susceptible to styrene leaching from packaging.

Avoid heating foods or drinks in polystyrene foam containers or cups in the microwave. Heat increases the likelihood of leaching.
Always ventilate well when using paints, adhesives, varnishes and cleaners that may contain solvents like styrene. Allow carpets and their backings, insulation and other building materials to release fumes by opening them up (unrolling carpets) in a ventilated garage or unused room for at least a few days before installing.

Alternatives

Choose least toxic and low-or no-VOC cleaning products, paints, sealants, paint thinners, adhesives,etc.
Use glass, ceramic or stainless steel containers for food storage. Choose foods and drinks packaged in paper, glass, metal cans or cardboard over those in polystyrene foam or plastic.