This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about styrene. For more information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-800-232-4636. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. Styrene is a colorless liquid that evaporates easily and has a sweet smell. It often contains other chemicals that give it a sharp, unpleasant smell. Styrene is widely used to make plastics and rubber. Products containing styrene include insulation, fiberglass, plastic pipes, automobile parts, shoes, drinking cups and other food containers, and carpet backing PDF Version, 55 KB. 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, ToxFAQsTM, is also available. This information is important because this substance may harm you.  Styrene is primarily a synthetic chemical that is used extensively in the manufacture of plastics, rubber, and resins. It is also known as vinylbenzene, ethenylbenzene, cinnamene, or phenylethylene. About 90,000 workers, including those who make boats, tubs, and showers, are potentially exposed to styrene. Health effects from exposure to styrene may involve the central nervous system and include complaints of headache, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, malaise, difficulty in concentrating, and a feeling of intoxication. Styrene is a clear, colourless liquid that is derived from petroleum and natural gas by-products, but which also occurs naturally. Styrene helps create plastic materials used in thousands of remarkably strong, flexible, and lightweight products, that represent a vital part of our health and well being. It's used in everything from food containers and packaging materials to cars, boats, and computers. Do I come into contact with styrene? Most people are exposed to styrene in tiny amounts that may be present in the air, or that occur in food (styrene is a natural component of foods such as cinnamon, beef, coffee beans, peanuts, wheat, oats, strawberries, and peaches). Styrene, also known as ethenylbenzene, vinylbenzene, and phenylethene, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C 6 H 5 CH=CH 2. This derivative of benzene is a colorless oily liquid that evaporates easily and has a sweet smell, although high concentrations have a less pleasant odor. Styrene is the precursor to polystyrene and several copolymers. Styrene is a clear, colorless liquid that is an essential component of materials used to make thousands of everyday products. Its molecular formula is C 8 H 8, meaning that it consists entirely of the elements carbon and hydrogen. Styrene is also known by several other names, including vinylbenzene, phenylethylene, cinnamene, Diarex HF 77, styrolene, styrol, and styropol. Styrene Styrene is a chemical used to make latex, synthetic rubber, and polystyrene resins. These resins are used to make plastic packaging, disposable cups and containers, insulation, and other products. Styrene is also produced naturally in some plants. How People Are Exposed to Styrene. People may be exposed to styrene by breathing it in the air. Styrene is often detected in urban air. It can be found indoors as a result of operating photocopiers and laser printers, and from cigarette smoke. Small amounts may be eaten when styrene migrates into foods from packaging made of polystryrene. 
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/TF.asp?id=420&tid=74 http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/PHS/PHS.asp?id=419&tid=74 https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/styrene/index.html http://www.styreneforum.org/faq_index.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrene http://styrene.org/about-styrene/qa/ http://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/pdf/Styrene_FactSheet.pdf
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