[A new environmental pathology: styrene-induced rhinitis]

We describe the case of a 36 ys aged woman complaining of symptoms of oculorhinitis with itching, occasional dyspnea and laryngeal constriction. The patient related her symptoms with the emission of dusts and steam from a factory in the neighbourhood producing manufactures using polyester resins dissolved in styrene. No bronchospastic response was obtained after challenge with methacoline and ultrasonic nebulization of distilled water, which instead provoked a significant increase of nasal resistance. The inhalation challenge with styrene produced a dual nasal response. To our knowledge this is the first case of non occupational neighbourhood rhinitis provoked by styrene.