PRELIMINARY RISK ASSESSMENT OF STYRENE PRODUCTION

Abstract

Styrene (phenyl ethane; CAS: 100-42-5) is widely used in the production of plastics, synthetic
 rubber, polyester resins. Styrene, as one of the substantial feedstock for petrochemical industry, has become
 of high interest in Kazakhstan. Thus, according to the national petroleum companies’ plan, a styrene
 production plant project will be in operation by 2017 in Aktau city, Kazakhstan.
 Styrene is also recognized as an environmental pollutant. Thus, apart from the industrial use it appears in
 the small amounts in, e.g. various foods, tobacco smoke and engine exhausts.
 Styrene emissions may have significant impact on environmental and human health. Styrene is moderately
 toxic to aquatic organisms, however, readily biodegradable under aerobic conditions. In relation to human
 health styrene is hematotoxic and it causes skin, eye and respiratory tract irritation. Styrene should be
 regarded as a potential carcinogen and mutagen.
 The present paper presents a simple preliminary risk assessment approach illustrated by the planned setting
 up a styrene production plant in Kazakhstan. The objectives being to identify the potential risks prior to the
 construction phase in order to prevent the negative aspects linked to styrene. The assessment has been
 compiled using the DPSIR principle as framework and applying freely available assessment tools such as
 QSAR/QSTR models, Material Safety Data Sheets and rule-based screening tools in combination to available
 information from the literature.
 A simple assessment based on the BenchMark Dose and Margin Of Exposure methodologies (MOE) is
 presented, suggesting that styrene emissions in all cases must be taken seriously.
 The methodology applied in the present paper can immediately be transferred to other potentially hazardous
 compounds.