8. Personal Protection, First Aid and Medical Treatment

8.1 Introduction

8.1.1. Exposure to styrene

During the manufacture and handling of styrene the substance may be released as a liquid or vapour resulting in pollution of air, soil and/or water. The potential for exposure to styrene while handling the product exists mainly through skin and eye contact.

8.1.2 Occupational Health Aspects

Occupational Exposure Limits in European countries range from 20 to 100 ppm. To limit occupational exposure, the following principles should be followed and in the following order of priority:

1. Substitution – investigate the use of a less hazardous process
2. Isolation - the possibility of placing a barrier between the hazard and the worker (e.g. full enclosure or a fume hood) should be considered.
3. Ventilation – via engineering control of local and general ventilation

Personal protective devices, such as chemical resistant goggles or an apron, are last-resort types of control, and are to be used only where engineering controls cannot be made adequate.

CEFIC
Avenue E Van Nieuwenhuyse 4
B- 1160 Brussels

Patrick Detournay
T +32 2 676 72 05
E pdt@cefic.be