Lack of nephrotoxicity of styrene at current TLV level (50 ppm)

Biochemical markers of kidney damage were examined in 37 female workers exposed to an average concentration of 225 mg/m3 of styrene. The concentration of mandelic acid in urine was on the average 759 mg/g creatinine. The mean duration of employment of the exposed subjects was 11 years. The results were compared to those obtained in 35 control female workers matched for age and a number of demographic and lifestyle factors and with no history of exposure to organic solvents. No difference was found in the urinary excretion of albumin, beta 2-microglobulin, retinol-binding protein, total proteins, glucose, lysozyme, lactate dehydrogenase and beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase. The present study provides thus further evidence that exposure to styrene at the current TLV (215 mg/m3) does not entail any detectable risk for the renal function.