Effects of protective equipment on styrene exposure in workers in the reinforced plastics industry

Journal Article · · Arch. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00039896.1980.10667507· OSTI ID:6641958

Brooks, S M; Anderson, L; Emmett, E; Carson, A; Buncher, R; Karbowsky, R; Elia, V

A group of workers engaged in styrene handling operations were studied to determine whether styrene absorption through the skin results in measurable changes in biologic indicators of styrene exposure. Expired breath and blood styrene and urinary excretion of mandelic and phenylglyoxylic acid in eight female workers were measured serially during four consecutive days, using different experimental conditions: gloves/protective clothing alone, respirator alone, both gloves/protective clothing and respirator, and neither respirator nor gloves/protective clothing. Levels of styrene in venous blood and expired breath, and urine mandelic and phenylglyoxylic acid excretion were the same whether or not gloves/protective clothes were used. All biologic indices dropped significantly when respiratory protection was used. (2 graphs, 23 references, 4 tables)

• Research Organization: Univ of Cincinnati
• OSTI ID: 6641958
• Journal Information: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 35:5; ISSN AEHLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABSORPTION
AROMATICS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
CLOTHING
FEMALES
GLOVES
HYDROCARBONS
INDUSTRY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERSONNEL
PLASTICS INDUSTRY
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
RESPIRATORS
SKIN ABSORPTION
STYRENE
TOXICITY
UPTAKE