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Styrene in all its senses
Styrene is a toxic , flammable chemical compound produced from petroleum. Styrene is also known by these synonyms:
- cinnamene ;
- ethenyl benzene ;
- phenyl ethylene ;
- styrene ;
- styrene monomer ;
- vinyl benzene.
The main products and composite materials containing styrene are the following:
- polystyrene ;
- ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) ;
- SAN (styrene-acrylonitrile) ;
- SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) ;
- SBL (styrene-butadiene latex);
- UPR (unsaturated polyester resins).
Styrene is mainly used in the following industries:
- plasturgie ;
- boating industry ;
- metallurgy ;
- bodywork, etc.
- manufacture of swimming pools
- composite materials (fiberglass, carbon fiber)
- high-tech materials (boats and racing cars, weapons)
VLEP styrene: 8-hour and short-term occupational limit value
Decree 2016-344 of March 23, 2016 sets binding occupational exposure limit values for styrene.
8-hour occupational limit value (VLEP-8h) = 100mg/m³Short-term occupational limit value (VLCT 15 mn) = 200 mg/m³
Binding occupational exposure limit values (VLEP) are governed by the French Labor Code. They are defined byarticle R. 4412-149 as theaverage concentration of a chemical substance that must not be exceeded:
- in the workplace ;
- in the employee breathing zone.
Whether they are indicative or binding, VLEPs oblige companies to have these values checked annually by a COFRAC-accredited body. When assessing employee exposure to pollutants in the workplace, VLEPs are used as reference values.
Measurements of pollutant concentration levels in workplace air make it possible to determine what action to take to :
- safety at work ;
- risk prevention ;
- collective protection.
Please note: in France, styrene is not a chemical substance classified as CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction).
At European Union level, the health and safety risks associated with exposure to styrene are listed as follows:
- aspiration toxicity ;
- acute inhalation toxicity – vapours ;
- corrosion skin irritation ;
- serious eye damage/eye irritation ;
- reproductive toxicity ;
- chronic aquatic toxicity (environmental hazards).
What forms do styrenes come in, and how can they be treated?
Styrenics are generally found in gaseous form in industry. Solutions generally involve extracting pollutants from the workplace and evacuating them outside, with or without treatment, depending on regulatory constraints. Styrenics can be filtered and separated on activated carbon. Depending on concentrations, the following are preferred:
- activated carbon for low to very low concentrations. Since activated carbon can adsorb a maximum of 40% of its own weight, it’s easy to estimate the amount of activated carbon required.
- Oxidative processes (thermal oxidation or catalytic oxidation) for higher concentrations and, ideally, for autothermal treatment (without additional oxidizing agents to maintain the oxidation process).
You can find all VOC treatment solutions on activated carbon.
