Mutagenicity study of workers employed in the styrene and polystyrene processing and manufacturing industry.

Mutagenicity studies were undertaken on lymphocytes from the following groups of persons exposed to styrene or polystyrene: one group from a styrene manufacturing plant, one from a polystyrene plant, and three from plants processing unsaturated polyester resins with different manufacturing methods. For all the groups the concentration of styrene in the atmosphere of the workplace was measured at various points and the amount of urinary mandelic acid was determined. In each case 100 metaphases were analyzed for chromosomal aberrations. The results were compared with reference groups.

Mortality experience of styrene-polystyrene polymerization workers. Initial findings.

A group of 560 individuals has been identified as employed on 1 May 1960 with at least five years seniority in a plant manufacturing styrene and polystyrene. In this plant workplace exposures included styrene, benzene and ethylbenzene, among other materials. All of the 560 individuals have been traced through 1975 and their vital status determined. Expected and observed deaths, by cause, were determined from 1 May 1960 or the tenth anniversary of employment in the plant through 31 December 1975. Over this relatively short period of time a deficit of deaths compared to that of the general population was observed (106.41 expected versus 83 observed). Among the 83 deaths, one was of leukemia, one of lymphoma and an additional death was accompanied by leukemia. A review of 361 additional death certificates revealed five additional cases of leukemia and four of lymphoma. The available information from the limited follow-up in time of the time of the cohort and from the randomly collected death certificates, while suggestive of a possible risk, is not definitive.

Survey of mortality among employees engaged in the manufacture of styrene and polystyrene at the BASF Ludwigshafen works.

A mortality survey of 1,960 employees currently or previously exposed to styrene at work has shown that the observed number of deaths from cancer or other causes is no higher than the number expected in the German population or in a group of BASF employees. Analyses of deaths occurring after a minimum period of five years in groups exposed for different durations (5 years, 10 years, 15 years, more than 15 years) indicated no increase in mortality with exposure time. This latter observation also applied to malignant tumors; therefore it may be inferred that prolonged exposure to styrene is not a cancer hazard.

Morbidity among persons employed in styrene production, polymerization and processing plants.

BASF has been producing styrene and polystyrene since 1931. An investigation of morbidity was undertaken for 84 workers employed in the styrene plant and exposed for 1--36 years and 93 workers employed in the polystyrene plant and exposed for 1--38 years. In all groups the concentration of styrene in the atmosphere was measured at various points of the workplace. All workers underwent a thorough physical examination and also extensive laboratory tests, including the determination of urinary mandelic acid. The absenteeism and accident rates were also taken into consideration in both plants. Blood samples were also taken and mandelic acid tests made on a small group of 16 persons employed in polyester processing plants not attached to the BASF.

Health status of styrene-polystyrene polymerization workers.

Styrene monomer is a greatly used chemical, chiefly in the production of polystyrene. A cross-sectional health survey of 493 production workers was undertaken at the oldest and largest monomer production, polymerization, and extrusion facility in the United States. Relative exposure durations and levels were obtained from occupational histories and corroborated by spot air sampling, blood and fat styrene concentrations and levels of urinary mandelic and phenylglyoxylic acids. Statistically significant differences between the prevalence of abnormalities in high and low exposure groups were found for the following: history of acute prenarcotic symptoms, history of acute lower respiratory symptoms, peroneal nerve conduction velocities, relative lymphocytosis, and elevated gamma glutamyl transpetsidase. The following showed no distinct pattern in prevalence when analyzed by exposure group: chest radiographic changes; indices or restrictive, obstructive and small airway dysfunction; other hepatic and hematological parameters; carcinoembryonic antigen level; sputum cytopathology; radial nerve conduction velocities; and ophthalmological findings. Clinically significant abnormalities were rare.