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Styrene use and occupational exposure in the plastics industry
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
|January 1, 1978
Summary
Styrene is a key industrial chemical, with significant occupational exposure risks in its production and use, particularly in the reinforced plastics industry. Understanding these exposures is crucial for worker safety and health management.
Area of Science:
- Industrial Chemistry
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Styrene has been commercially produced since the 1930s, with current global production at 7 million tons annually.
- Major production methods include catalytic dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene and coproduction with propylene oxide.
- Styrene monomer is primarily used in polystyrene (62%), ABS resins (12%), styrene-butadiene rubber/latex (17%), and unsaturated polyester resins (7%).
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the industrial production and applications of styrene.
- To identify key areas and scenarios of occupational exposure to styrene.
- To highlight the significant exposure levels in the reinforced plastics industry.
Main Methods:
- Review of styrene production processes.
- Analysis of styrene monomer consumption in various industries.
- Identification of occupational exposure pathways and concentrations.
Main Results:
- Worldwide production of styrene reaches 7 million tons per year.
- Significant occupational exposure occurs during styrene production, polymerization, product fabrication, and handling.
- The reinforced plastics industry presents the most extensive exposure, with over 200,000 workers exposed to 20-300 ppm of styrene.
Conclusions:
- Styrene is a widely used industrial chemical with diverse applications.
- Occupational exposure to styrene is a significant concern across multiple industries.
- Workers in the reinforced plastics sector face particularly high exposure levels, necessitating targeted safety measures.