The potential for styrene to produce effects on the endocrine system, specifically on (anti)estrogenic, (anti)androgenic, thyroid, and prolactin activities has been the subject of a number of studies. Styrene-Butadiene Copolymer . Exposure to styrene may increase the risk of cancer. (17) reported that styrene monomer is the main volatile product of the thermal decomposition of polystyrene, comprising up to 100% of the volatiles. Styrene. There is also some evidence for increased risk of cancer in the pancreas or esophagus among some styrene workers, but the evidence is weaker than that for lymphohematopoietic cancers. There are many studies that have examined the genotoxic potential of styrene in styrene exposed workers. [15] There are no strong or consistent indications that styrene causes any form of cancer in humans. [9],[10],[11] California Proposition 65 list. There is also some evidence for increased risk of cancer in the pancreas or esophagus among some styrene workers, but the evidence is weaker than that for lymphohematopoietic cancers. [2] Styrene can be found in air, water, and soil after release from the manufacture, use, and disposal of styrene-based products. 44 Similar exposure conditions resulted in an insignificant reduction in reaction time with no change in manual dexterity or perceptual speed. Styrene produced both negative and positive mutations in Chinese hamster V79 cells and chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster lung cells and human lymphocytes. Instead, it would require lab testing to determine if it is present in products, and at what levels. 41.1.1 Historical Background. Styrene. Available online: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/docum/pdf/bkh_annex_13.pdf. [13] Styrene is also listed on the California Proposition 65 list of known carcinogens to cause cancer. There are no indications that occupational or environmental exposures to styrene produces adverse effects on fertility or development including potential endocrine disruptor effects. In humans, styrene has been reported to affect color vision (usually of the tritan type affecting blue-yellow color discrimination), although, as with ototoxicity, interpreting the dose-response (threshold) concentrations is difficult due to past higher exposures that may have impacted color vision. It is a flammable liquid that is used in the manufacturing of polystyrene plastics, fiberglass, rubber, and latex. [4] The residual styrene was most likely the result of residual styrene in styrene-acrylates copolymer, an ingredient listed on the label. This substance is used for the manufacture of: … Toxicity of sulfothreenaphtilenfurane. Studies of general population environmental and consumer styrene exposure and cancer are less informative than the worker studies, but the available evidence does not suggest these low exposures are a concern. The gene expression changes signify a non-genotoxic, rodent- and rodent strain-specific MOA-related to activation of nuclear receptor signaling with attendant cell proliferation (primarily mitogenesis), changes in cellular metabolism, and activation of immune response pathways, and, later, alteration in circadian clock genes associated with control of cancer. acute toxicity, hearing damage and is suspected of reproductive toxicity. Acute exposure to styrene via inhalation at 376 ppm for 25 minutes resulted in nausea, a sense of inebriation, and headache, along with abnormal performance on the Romberg test. Error: (#10) This endpoint requires the 'manage_pages' or 'pages_read_user_content' permission or the 'Page Public Content Access' feature. The harmful chemicals associated with plastics can be divided into three categories: ingredients of the plastic material, byproducts of manufacturing and chemicals adsorbed from the environment. Refer to https://developers.facebook.com/docs/apps/review/login-permissions#manage-pages and https://developers.facebook.com/docs/apps/review/feature#reference-PAGES_ACCESS for details. Endocrine Disruption: The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption classifies styrene as a Category 1 endocrine disruptor, meaning evidence for endocrine disruption has been documented in humans and wildlife. Washington DC. 4Additional properties of styrene are presented in Table 3. Thermal degradation of styrene-containing polymers also releases styrene into ambient air (16). © 2020 Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a project of, https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/risk/hhra/recordisplay.cfm?deid=39304, http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/TF.asp?id=420&tid=74, http://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/chemicals/styrene, http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/styrene/index.cfm, http://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/docum/pdf/bkh_annex_13.pdf. There is one report of styrene exposed workers that suggested an interaction of styrene with the thyroid, but this study has important limitations and this finding is not supported by a large number of repeated-dose and multigeneration guideline animal studies showing no effects on thyroid histopathology or organ weight. The primary route of exposure of styrene to workers is by inhalation. Violent polymerization may be initiated by alkali metal-graphite composites, but yllithium, dibenzoyl peroxide, azoisobutyronitrile or di-tert-butyl peroxide. These effects are of possible concern at higher exposures that may be experienced in the workplace, but not for the low exposures associated with consumer uses or the environment. Overall, these fertility studies did not find a consistent pattern of adverse effects and reports on malformations/abortions are limited by small number of subjects, imprecise exposure information for styrene, and potential exposure to other substances. 2014. [13] Styrene is also listed on the California Proposition 65 list of known carcinogens to cause cancer. Annex 13. The nervous system is the most sensitive target of long-term styrene exposure. Mortality and cancer incidence in biomedical laboratory personnel in Sweden. The following sections review the scientific data on styrene for a variety of potential health endpoints. Research studies and literature reviews are sponsored with the intention of making regulators and the public aware of this information via publication in peer-reviewed journals. 1995 Mar 1; 37(3): 336–348. Therefore, there is no convincing evidence that styrene has shown genotoxic activity in humans. Health & Education. Styrene’s potential to affect prolactin is less clear. Available online: https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/risk/hhra/recordisplay.cfm?deid=39304, [3] ATSDR: Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry. Sorry! WHAT IS STYRENE ACRYLATES COPOLYMER: Styrene acrylates copolymer is a chain of polymers consisting of styrene and acrylate which is added to cosmetics for color. 1999 Apr 1; 35(4): 382–389. The tumorigenic response of styrene is dependent on the balance between the rate of activation and rate of detoxification, though information on these rates in humans is not available. gov/iris/subst/0104.htm. Available online: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/docum/pdf/bkh_annex_13.pdf. [13] IARC: International Agency for Research on Cancer. 4. It is quickly broken down in the air, usually within 1-2 days.[3]. Review of Microplastics in Cosmetics. The human cancer evidence for styrene and workplace exposure is inconclusive and not supported by animal toxicity and mechanistic information. Styrene. This public health statement tells you about styrene and the effects of exposure to it. Although some studies suggest that styrene-exposed workers may be at increased cancer risk, the human evidence for styrene carcinogenicity is inconclusive. It dissolves in some liquids but doesn't dissolve easily in water. Unable to display Facebook posts.Show errorfunction cffShowError() { document.getElementById("cff-error-reason").style.display = "block"; document.getElementById("cff-show-error").style.display = "none"; }, A project of Breast Cancer Prevention Partners. Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer is a polymer of styrene and a monomer consisting of acrylicacid, methacrylic acid or one of their simple esters. 2007 Feb 1;232(2):301-8. A father rushes to take his child for treatment at King George Hospital. [5] IFRA: International Fragrance Association. It is quickly broken down in the air, usually within 1-2 days. At exposures in excess of 50 ppm (8-hour time-weighted average), styrene may cause temporary nervous system effects such as drowsiness and delayed reaction time. Styrene may also serve as a film-forming agent. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Styrene is primarily a synthetic chemical. [11] Wennborg H, Yuen J, Axelsson G, Ahlbom G, Gustavsson P, Sasco AJ. Styrene is also used as an intermediate in the composition of materials used for ion exchange resins and to produce copolymers. [2] Styrene can be found in air, water, and soil after release from the manufacture, use, and disposal of styrene-based products. Visual function deficits are reported in rats and monkeys exposed to styrene, although color vision impairment has not been specifically examined. Several studies have reported elevated serum prolactin concentrations in FRP workers associated with high styrene exposures, however, the prolactin levels reported were within normal ranges and adverse effects associated with these findings have not been identified. Styrene may also serve as a film-forming agent. Animal studies that assessed developmental effects show styrene does not cause malformations or developmental structural changes at inhalation exposures of up to 600 ppm and oral exposures of up to 250 mg/kg/day. Styrene Information & Research Center Our tests did not reveal detectable levels of styrene in fragranced products tested. Available online: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/styrene/index.cfm. Some of these chemicals are defined as priority pollutants, which are regulated by governmental agencies because of their toxicity or persistence in organisms and food webs. ... Styrene block polymers with butadiene are available with a styrene content of 25% to 50%, and the There are reports of human cancers in workplaces that have styrene exposures, but the observations are not consistent across studies and exposure–response relationships are lacking. 2016. [16] A 2007 study on male rat offspring found that prenatal exposure to styrene at low levels obstructed genital organ development, and disrupted the endocrine systems. It is also known as vinylbenzene, ethenylbenzene, cinnamene, or phenylethylene. Created for consumers, educators, the media, and industry employees, youknowstyrene.org is a reliable, one-stop source of information on styrene and styrene-based products. ; Proposition 65 requires businesses to determine if they must provide a warning about exposure to listed chemicals. [2] EPA: Environmental Protection Agency. [6] Safety Assessment of Styrene and Vinyl-type Styrene Copolymers as Used in Cosmetics. Styrene (S) was among the first monomers to be polymerized cationically. [7] Fragranced products are often in an aerosol or spray form, allowing for inhalation. Even in trace amounts it is concerning to have the presence of a carcinogen in products marketed to children and adults. The best information currently available on the threshold for hearing deficits in humans comes from a study of German boat-building workers that found no hearing loss for current exposures of 7.6–15.2 ppm and six years of exposure to 39-49 ppm, whereas workers that had work exposures of about 30-50 ppm for approximately 15 years and experienced approximately five years of median TWA styrene exposure of 80 ppm had evidence of hearing loss. Page last reviewed: December 4, 2014. Overall, the available information indicates that styrene does not interfere with the estrogen-androgen-thyroid systems. If you have a poisoning emergency in the United States call 1-800-222-1222. The studies in rats found no consistent increase in tumors, although mammary tumors were increased in two inhalation studies. There may be other diseases and chemicals that have similar symptoms. 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