Olfactory function in workers exposed to styrene in the reinforced‐plastics industry

Abstract

The present study found no evidence among a cross-section of reinforced-plastics industry workers that current or historical exposure to styrene was associated with impairment of olfactory function. Taken together with anatomical differences between rodent and human airways and the lack of evidence for styrene metabolism in human nasal tissue, the results strongly suggest that at these concentrations, styrene is not an olfactory toxicant in humans.

Exposure assessment for study of olfactory function in workers exposed to styrene in the reinforced‐plastics industry

“…A summary of the exposure metrics used to interpret the olfactory function findings [Dalton et al, 2003] is presented by site as Table III. In addition, the distribution of annual average historic exposures and the distribution of cumulative historic exposures are presented as Figures 1 and 2, respectively.…”

“…These criteria are fully enumerated in the companion paper [Dalton et al, 2003]. Of critical importance to the exposure assessment process, facilities were selected based on the stability of the manufacturing process and process control technology over the preceding 10 years, worker exposures of 30-50 ppm over this same period, the availability of personnel records from which individual worker job histories could be extracted, information on historic respirator use, and the existence of at least a modest amount (three surveys) of suitably documented and identifiable historic air monitoring data for styrene.…”

“…This study was conducted to provide quantitative styrene exposure information for a group of workers who were the subjects of a simultaneous study examining the possible olfactory dysfunction resulting from this exposure [Dalton et al, 2003]. As the olfactory study was designed to differentiate between the olfactory effects of chronic and acute exposures, accurate estimation of short-and long-term exposures was of concern.…”

Olfactory toxicity: long-term effects of occupational exposures

“…The effect of chronic occupational exposure to styrene, a solvent widely used, was studied by Dalton and coworkers (Dalton et al 2003). Fifty-two workers exposed to styrene in the reinforced plastics industry were compared to a pair number of gender-and age-matched controls.…”

Odor identification ability and self-reported upper respiratory symptoms in workers at the post-9/11 World Trade Center site

“…Decreased ability to smell, as measured by quantitative tests, is common in highly polluted urban areas (Hudson et al 2006;Calderon-Garciduenas et al 2010;Guarneros et al 2009), as well as in occupational settings where workers are chronically exposed to airborne particulates, metals, and other pollutants (Adams and Crabtree 1961;Ahlstrom et al 1986;Schwartz et al 1989;Lucchini et al 1999;Dalton et al 2003;Antunes et al 2007). While such exposure to airborne toxins is usually reflected in olfactory epithelial damage, damage to other elements of the olfactory pathway can also occur.…”