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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Styrene 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences (proposed) June 2012 

This Public Health Statement is the summary chapter from the Toxicological Profile for Styrene. 

It is one in a series of Public Health Statements about hazardous substances and their health 

effects. A shorter version, the ToxFAQsTM, is also available. This information is important 

because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance 

depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether 

other chemicals are present. For more information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 

1-800-232-4636. 

This public health statement tells you about styrene and the effects of exposure to it. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in 

the nation. These sites are then placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) and are targeted for 

long-term federal clean-up activities. Styrene has been found in at least 251 of the 1,699 current 

or former NPL sites. Although the total number of NPL sites evaluated for this substance is not 

known, the possibility exists that the number of sites at which styrene is found may increase in 

the future as more sites are evaluated. This information is important because these sites may be 

sources of exposure and exposure to this substance may harm you. 

When a substance is released either from a large area, such as an industrial plant, or from a 

container, such as a drum or bottle, it enters the environment. Such a release does not always 

lead to exposure. You can be exposed to a substance only when you come in contact with it. 

You may be exposed by breathing, eating, or drinking the substance, or by skin contact. 

If you are exposed to styrene, many factors will determine whether you will be harmed. These 

factors include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), and how you come in contact with 

it. You must also consider any other chemicals you are exposed to and your age, sex, diet, 

family traits, lifestyle, and state of health. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Styrene 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences (proposed) June 2012 

1.1 WHAT IS STYRENE? 

Description Styrene is a colorless liquid that evaporates easily. 

In its pure form, styrene has a sweet smell. Manufactured styrene may 

contain aldehydes, which give it a sharp, unpleasant odor. 

Uses 

 • manufacturing 

• consumer 

products 

Large amounts of styrene are produced in the United States. Small amounts 

are produced naturally by plants, bacteria, and fungi. Styrene is also present 

in combustion products such as cigarette smoke and automobile exhaust. 

Styrene is widely used to make plastics and rubber. Consumer products 

containing styrene include: 

 packaging materials 

 insulation for electrical uses (i.e., wiring and appliances) 

 insulation for homes and other buildings 

 fiberglass, plastic pipes, automobile parts 

 drinking cups and other "food-use" items 

 carpet backing 

These products mainly contain styrene linked together in long chains 

(polystyrene). However, most of these products also contain a small amount 

of unlinked styrene. 

1.2 WHAT HAPPENS TO STYRENE WHEN IT ENTERS THE ENVIRONMENT?
 

Sources Styrene can be found in air, soil, and water after release from the 

manufacture, use, and disposal of styrene-based products. 

Break down 

• Air 

• Water and soil 

Styrene is quickly broken down in the air, usually within 1–2 days. 

Styrene evaporates from shallow soils and surface water. Styrene that 

remains in soil or water may be broken down by bacteria or other 

microorganisms. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Styrene 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences (proposed) June 2012 

1.3 HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED TO STYRENE?
 

Air The primary way you can be exposed to styrene is by breathing air 

containing it. Releases of styrene into the air occur from: 

 industries using or manufacturing styrene 

 automobile exhaust 

 cigarette smoke, and 

 use of photocopiers 

Rural or suburban air generally contains lower concentrations of styrene 

than urban air. Indoor air often contains higher levels of styrene than 

outdoor air. 

 0.06–4.6 parts per billion (ppb) in outdoor air 

 0.07–11.5 ppb in indoor air 

Water and soil Styrene is occasionally detected in groundwater, drinking water, or soil 

samples. Drinking water containing styrene or bathing in water containing 

styrene may expose you to low levels of this chemical. 

Workplace air A large number of workers are potentially exposed to styrene. The highest 

potential exposure occurs in the reinforced-plastics industry, where workers 

may be exposed to high air concentrations and also have dermal exposure 

to liquid styrene or resins. 

Workers involved in styrene polymerization, rubber manufacturing, and 

styrene-polyester resin facilities and workers at photocopy centers may also 

be exposed to styrene. 

Food Low levels of styrene occur naturally in a variety of foods, such as fruits, 

vegetables, nuts, beverages, and meats. Small amounts of styrene can be 

transferred to food from styrene-based packaging material. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Styrene 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences (proposed) June 2012 

1.4 HOW CAN STYRENE ENTER AND LEAVE MY BODY? 

Enter your body 

• Inhalation 

• Ingestion 

• Dermal contact 

When you breathe air containing styrene, most of the styrene will rapidly 

enter your body through your lungs. 

Styrene in food or water may also rapidly enter your body through the 

digestive tract. 

A very small amount may enter through your skin when you come into 

contact with liquids containing styrene. 

Leave your body Once in your body, styrene is broken down into other chemicals. Most of 

these other chemicals leave your body in the urine within few days. 

1.5 HOW CAN STYRENE AFFECT MY HEALTH? 

This section looks at studies concerning potential health effects in animal and human studies. 

Workers 

• Inhalation The most common health problems in workers exposed to styrene involve 

the nervous system. These health effects include changes in color vision, 

tiredness, feeling drunk, slowed reaction time, concentration problems, and 

balance problems. 

The styrene concentrations that cause these effects are more than 

1,000 times higher than the levels normally found in the environment. 

Laboratory 

animals 

• Inhalation Hearing loss has been observed in animals exposed to very high 

concentrations of styrene. 

Animal studies have shown that inhalation of styrene can result in changes 

in the lining of the nose and damage to the liver. However, animals may be 

more sensitive than humans to the nose and liver effects. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Styrene 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences (proposed) June 2012 

Laboratory 

animals 

Impaired learning has been observed in rats exposed to high doses of 

styrene. 

• Oral 

Sperm damage has also been observed in rats exposed to high doses of 

styrene. 

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National 

Toxicology Program (NTP) listed styrene as "reasonably anticipated to be a 

human carcinogen" in the Report on Carcinogens, Twelfth Edition, released 

on June 10, 2011. 

Cancer 

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined 

that styrene is a possible carcinogen. 

1.6 HOW CAN STYRENE AFFECT CHILDREN? 

This section discusses potential health effects in humans from exposures during the period from 

conception to maturity at 18 years of age. 

Effects in children There are no studies evaluating the effects of styrene exposure on children 

or immature animals. It is likely that children would have the same health 

effects as adults. We do not know whether children would be more 

sensitive than adults to the effects of styrene. 

Birth defects Studies in workers have examined whether styrene can cause birth defects 

or low birth weight; however, the results are inconclusive. No birth defects 

were observed in animal studies. 

Breast milk Nursing infants can be exposed to styrene from breast milk. 

1.7 HOW CAN FAMILIES REDUCE THE RISK OF EXPOSURE TO STYRENE?
 

Tobacco smoke Styrene is a component of tobacco smoke. Avoid smoking in enclosed 

spaces like inside the home or car in order to limit exposure to children and 

other family members. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Styrene 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences (proposed) June 2012 

Styrene is released during the use of home copiers. Families should use a 

copier only when needed and turn it off when finished. It is also important to 

keep the room with the copier well ventilated. 

Copier 

1.8 IS THERE A MEDICAL TEST TO DETERMINE WHETHER I HAVE BEEN 

EXPOSED TO STYRENE? 

Detecting 

exposure 

Styrene can be measured in blood, urine, and body tissues for a short time 

following exposure to moderate-to-high levels. 

Measuring 

exposure 

The presence of styrene breakdown products (metabolites) in urine might 

indicate that you were exposed to styrene; however, these metabolites can 

also form when you are exposed to other substances. 

Measuring styrene metabolites in urine within 1 day of exposure allows 

medical personnel to estimate actual exposure level. 

The detection of these metabolites in your urine cannot be used to predict 

the kind of health effects that might develop from that exposure. 

1.9 WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS HAS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MADE TO 

PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH? 

The federal government develops regulations and recommendations to protect public health. 

Regulations can be enforced by law. The EPA, the Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration (OSHA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are some federal 

agencies that develop regulations for toxic substances. Recommendations provide valuable 

guidelines to protect public health, but cannot be enforced by law. The Agency for Toxic 

Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety 

and Health (NIOSH) are two federal organizations that develop recommendations for toxic 

substances. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Styrene 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences (proposed) June 2012 

Regulations and recommendations can be expressed as “not-to-exceed” levels. These are levels 

of a toxic substance in air, water, soil, or food that do not exceed a critical value. This critical 

value is usually based on levels that affect animals; they are then adjusted to levels that will help 

protect humans. Sometimes these not-to-exceed levels differ among federal organizations 

because they used different exposure times (an 8-hour workday or a 24-hour day), different 

animal studies, or other factors. 

Recommendations and regulations are also updated periodically as more information becomes 

available. For the most current information, check with the federal agency or organization that 

provides it. 

Some regulations and recommendations for styrene include the following: 

Drinking water The EPA has determined that exposure to styrene in drinking water at 

concentrations of 20 mg/L for 1 day or 2 mg/L for 10 days is not expected to 

cause any adverse effects in a child. 

The EPA has determined that lifetime exposure to 0.1 mg/L styrene in 

drinking water is not expected to cause any adverse effects. 

Bottled water The FDA has determined that the styrene concentration in bottled drinking 

water should not exceed 0.1 mg/L. 

Workplace air OSHA set a legal limit of 100 ppm styrene in air averaged over an 8-hour 

work day. 

1.10 WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION? 

If you have any more questions or concerns, please contact your community or state health or 

environmental quality department, or contact ATSDR at the address and phone number below. 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 
 

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PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

Styrene 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences (proposed) June 2012 

ATSDR can also tell you the location of occupational and environmental health clinics. These 

clinics specialize in recognizing, evaluating, and treating illnesses that result from exposure to 

hazardous substances. 

Toxicological profiles are also available on-line at www.atsdr.cdc.gov and on CD-ROM. You 

may request a copy of the ATSDR ToxProfilesTM CD-ROM by calling the toll-free information 

and technical assistance number at 1-800-CDCINFO (1-800-232-4636), by e-mail at 

cdcinfo@cdc.gov, or by writing to: 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences (proposed) 

1600 Clifton Road NE 

 Mailstop F-62 

 Atlanta, GA 30333 

 Fax: 1-770-488-4178 

Organizations for-profit may request copies of final Toxicological Profiles from the following: 

National Technical Information Service (NTIS) 

5285 Port Royal Road 

 Springfield, VA 22161 

 Phone: 1-800-553-6847 or 1-703-605-6000 

 Web site: http://www.ntis.gov/ 

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service
 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov