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 Styrene
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General Description
    Synonyms: Cinnamene; Ethenyl benzene; Phenylethylene; Styrene monomer; Styrol; Vinylbenzene

    OSHA IMIS Code Number: 2280

    Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 100-42-5

    NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: WL3675000

    Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and guide [2008 Emergency Response Guidebook, 2.5 MB PDF]: 2055 128P (inhibited)

    NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Styrene: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-2 Table -- 100 ppm TWA; Also, exposures shall not exceed 200 ppm (ceiling) with the following exception: exposures may exceed 200 ppm, but not more than 600 ppm (peak), for a single time period up to 5 minutes for any 3 hours.

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 100 ppm, 420 mg/m3 Ceiling

    OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 100 ppm, 420 mg/m3 TWA

    American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 20 ppm TWA; 40 ppm STEL; Appendix A4 - Not Classifiable as a Human Carcinogen; BEI (Listed under Styrene, monomer)

    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 50 ppm, 215 mg/m3 TWA; 100 ppm, 425 mg/m3 STEL
Health Factors
    International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 2B, Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans [422 KB, PDF]

    NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 700 ppm

    Potential symptoms: Irritation of eyes, nose, respiratory system; headache, weakness; dizziness, confusion, malaise; drowsiness, feelings of drunkenness, decreased coordination, unsteady gait; narcosis; nausea, metallic taste; defatting dermatitis, skin sensitization; asthma (with repeated or prolonged exposure); possible liver injury; reproductive effects; INGES ACUTE: Abdominal pain; chemical pneumonitis from aspiration of liquid.

    Health Effects: Irritation - Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Moderate (HE15) CNS effects (HE7); Narcosis (HE8); Mutagen (HE2)

    Affected organs: CNS, respiratory system, eyes, skin

    Notes:
    1. Listed among FDA's "food additives permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption" (21 CFR 172.515).
    2. Occupational exposure may result in hearing loss (ototoxicity) and color vision loss (increased Color Confusion Index) at exposures below the PEL.
    3. Metabolized by cytochrome P-450s 2E1 and 2B6 to styrene-7,8-oxide, which is further metabolized to the main urinary metabolites, mandelic acid and phenyl-glyoxylic acid. A minor metabolite, 4-vinylphenol, is specific for styrene exposure.

    Date Last Revised: 03/15/2004

    Literature Basis:
    • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Styrene.
    • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Styrene.
    • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Styrene. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 2100-2103.
    • Manini, P., et al.: Assessment of biotransformation of the arene moiety of styrene in volunteers and occupationally exposed workers. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 189(3): 160-169, 2003.
    • Morata, T.C., et al.: Audiometric findings in workers exposed to low levels of styrene and noise. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 44(9): 806-814, 2002.
    • Sliwinska-Kowalska, M., et al.: Ototoxic effects of occupational exposure to styrene and co-exposure to styrene and noise. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 45(1): 15-24, 2003.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
    Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

    • sampling media: Coated Charcoal Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh) Coating is p-tert-butylcatechol.
      analytical solvent: Toluene
      alternative solvent: (99:1) Carbon Disulfide:Dimethylformaide
      maximum volume: 12 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min
      maximum volume: 0.75 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (STEL)
      minimum time: 5 Minutes   maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (Ceiling)
      minimum time: 5 Minutes   maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (Peak)
      current analytical method: Gas Chromatography; GC/FID
      method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 89)
      method classification: Fully Validated

    • sampling media: Diffusive Sampler:
      SKC 575-006 Passive Sampler; or
      3M 3520 Organic Vapor Monitor
      analytical solvent: Toluene
      sampling time: 15 to 240 Minutes
      current analytical method: Gas Chromatography FID detector; GC/FID
      method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1014)
      method classification: Fully Validated
      note: Persons using diffusive samplers to monitor workplace air must ensure that the sampling devices are properly closed before transporting such devices to the laboratory for analysis. The device will continue to sample until properly closed. Diffusive sampler accessories used for analysis of samplers must be included with transported samples. Persons using such devices must provide sampling-site station barometric pressure and temperature to the analytical laboratory to improve accuracy of sampling results.

    On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:

    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: AUER/MSA
      model/type: Styrene-10, MSA P/N 804135, AUER P/N 5086-819
      sampling information: follow manufacturer's instructions
      upper measurement limit: 300 ppm
      detection limit: approximately 5 ppm
      overall uncertainty: unknown
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Dräger
      model/type: Styrene 10/a, order no. 67 23301
      sampling information: 2 to 15 strokes
      upper measurement limit: 200 ppm
      detection limit: approximately 5 ppm
      overall uncertainty: approximately 33%
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Dräger
      model/type: Styrene 10/b, order no. 67 33141
      sampling information: 20 strokes
      upper measurement limit: 250 ppm
      detection limit: approximately 5 ppm
      overall uncertainty: approximately 33%
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Dräger
      model/type: Styrene 50/a, order no. CH 27601
      sampling information: 2 to 11 strokes
      upper measurement limit: 400 ppm
      detection limit: approximately 25 ppm
      overall uncertainty: approximately 33%
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Gastec
      model/type: 124
      sampling information: 0.5 to 2 strokes
      upper measurement limit: 1500 ppm
      detection limit: 1 ppm
      overall uncertainty: 25% for 20 to 100 ppm, 16% for 100 to 500 ppm
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Gastec
      model/type: 124L
      sampling information: 1 or 4 strokes
      upper measurement limit: 100 ppm
      detection limit: 0.5 ppm
      overall uncertainty: 16% for 2 to 5 ppm, 8% for 5 to 25 ppm
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)


    • device: Detector Tube
      manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
      model/type: 8014-158S
      sampling information: 1 or 2 strokes
      upper measurement limit: 300 ppm
      detection limit: approximately 1 ppm
      overall uncertainty: unknown
      method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

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