Quantitative Analysis of Styrene Monomer in Polystyrene and Foods Including Some Preliminary Studies of the Uptake and Pharmacodynamics of the Monomer in Rats

• Published in: Environmental health perspectives Vol. 17; pp. 125 - 133
• Main Author: Withey, J. R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. National Institutes of Health. Department of Health, Education and Welfare 01.10.1976
• Subjects: Animals; Aqueous solutions; Blood; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Chlorides; Cutlery; Dairy Products - analysis; Dosage; Ethanol; Food Analysis; Injections, Intravenous; Intubation, Gastrointestinal; Monomers; Polymers; Polystyrenes; Proceedings of the WHO-NIEHS Conference on Potential Environmental Health Hazards from Technological Developments in Rubber and Plastics Industries. Research Triangle Park, N.C., March 1-3, 1976; Rats; Solubility; Solvents; Styrenes; Styrenes - administration & dosage; Styrenes - analysis; Styrenes - blood; Temperature; Time Factors; Volatilization; Water; Yogurt
• ISSN: 0091-6765; 1552-9924
• DOI: 10.1289/ehp.7617125

A variety of food containers, drinking cups and cutlery, fabricated from polystyrene (PS) or polystyrene-related plastic, were analyzed for their styrene monomer content. Samples of yogurt, packaged in PS cups, were similarly analyzed and the leaching of styrene monomer from PS containers by some food simulants was also determined. Blood level studies with rats, dosed with styrene monomer by various routes, illustrated uptake phenomena that were dependent on the dose and route of administration and were also affected by the vehicle used to convey the styrene monomer.