Styrene Comes Under the Spotlight in the 2011 Report on Carcinogens

June 27, 2011 - PRLog -- Styrene came under heavy scrutiny earlier this month when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, working through the National Toxicology Program, released the 12th Report on Carcinogens.
The Report on Carcinogens (RoC) is a congressionally mandated, science-based, public health document that is prepared for the HHS Secretary by the National Toxicology Program. The report identifies agents, substances, mixtures, and exposure circumstances that are known or reasonably anticipated to cause cancer in humans.
In it, styrene is listed as being reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on limited evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in humans, sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals, and supporting data on mechanisms of carcinogenesis.

Styrene is a colorless, flammable liquid, which has a sweet odor and is highly volatile. It is an industrial chemical used to make polystyrene and resins, such as reinforced plastics and rubber.  “Workers in various occupations can potentially be exposed to much higher levels of styrene than the general population,” reported Ed Chambers, President of EC2, a leading Midwest occupational health and indoor air quality (IAQ) consulting firm.  “Workers may breathe the chemical and also absorb styrene through their skin. Styrene can contaminate the air, water, soil and even food supplies.  People may also be exposed to styrene through breathing indoor air that has styrene vapors from off-gassing of building materials, photocopiers, tobacco smoke and other common products.  In most circumstances styrene levels in indoor air is greater than outdoor air.  People living near industrial facilities or hazardous waste sites may also be at risk for exposure to styrene.  Fortunately there are ways to test the IAQ and outdoor environments to ensure styrene is not a potential health hazard,” he continued.

To learn more about how EC2 can help identify styrene risks and prevent unnecessary exposures, please visit http://www.4ec2inc.com, email info@4ec2inc.com or call (815) 703-9000.

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About EC2, Inc.
EC2 is a leading provider of environmental consulting and inspection services for clients across the United States. Based in the Chicago area, the company provides their services to clients ranging from local companies and institutions to International Fortune 500 corporations.