Maternal toxicity, increased preimplantation loss of fetuses, reduced fetal weight, and increased incidence of ossification defects were reported in rats. Maternal toxicity and increased frequency of resorptions were reported in rabbits. No information is available on the carcinogenic effects of styrene oxide in humans. An increased incidence of hepatocellular neoplasms was also reported in mice. EPA has not classified styrene oxide with respect to potential carcinogenicity.
Styrene oxide occurs as a colorless to pale straw-colored liquid that is slightly soluble in water.
Styrene oxide has a sweet, pleasant odor, with an odor threshold of about 0.4 ppm. References U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Toxicology Information Program, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD. 1993. World Health Organization, Lyon. G.D. Clayton and F.E. Clayton, Eds.