Skip to main content
Log in

Lack of nephrotoxicity of styrene at current TLV level (50 ppm)

  • Published:
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Biochemical markers of kidney damage were examined in 37 female workers exposed to an average concentration of 225 mg/m3 of styrene. The concentration of mandelic acid in urine was on the average 759 mg/g creatinine. The mean duration of employment of the exposed subjects was 11 years. The results were compared to those obtained in 35 control female workers matched for age and a number of demographic and lifestyle factors and with no history of exposure to organic solvents. No difference was found in the urinary excretion of albumin, beta2-microglobulin, retinol-binding protein, total proteins, glucose, lysozyme, lactate dehydrogenase and beta-N-acetyld-glucosaminidase. The present study provides thus further evidence that exposure to styrene at the current TLV (215 mg/m3) does not entail any detectable risk for the renal function.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Askergren A, Allgren LG, Karlsson C, Lundberg I, Nyberg E (1981) Studies on kidney functions in subjects exposed to organic solvents. I. Excretion of albumin and β2-microglobulin in the urine. Acta Med Scand 209:479–483

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bernard AM, Lauwerys RR (1983) Continuous flow-system for automatin of latex immunoassay by particle counting. Clin Chem 29:1007–1011

    Google Scholar 

  3. Franchini I, Cavatorta A, Falzoi M, Lucertini S, Mutti A (1983) Early indicators of renal damage in workers exposed to styrene. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 52:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  4. Henry RJ, Cannon DC, Winhelman JW (1974) Clinical chemistry: principles and technics. 2nd Ed. Harper and Row, New York, pp 552–554

    Google Scholar 

  5. Litwack G (1955) Photometric determination of lysozyme activity. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 39:401–403

    Google Scholar 

  6. Sedivec V, Flek J (1970) Bestimmung toxischer Substanzen und ihrer Metaboliten in biologischen Flüssigkeiten mittels der GLC. IV. Mandelsäure im Urine. Collect Czech Chem Comm 35:931–937

    Google Scholar 

  7. Tucker SM, Boyd PJR, Thompson AE, Price RG (1975) Automated assay of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase in normal and pathological urine. Clin Chim Acta 62:333–339

    Google Scholar 

  8. Viau C, Bernard A, de Russis R, Ouled A, Maldague P, Lauwerys R (1987) Evaluation of the nephrotoxic potential of styrene in man and in rat. J Appl Toxicol 7:313–316

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vyskocil, A., Emminger, S., Malir, F. et al. Lack of nephrotoxicity of styrene at current TLV level (50 ppm). Int Arch Occup Environ Heath 61, 409–411 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00381033

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00381033

Key words

Navigation