Styrene - C8H8
Styrene - C8H8
Styrene - C8H8 This page brings together the main information on styrene (C8H8) such as its physical characteristics, its effects on health, the means of detecting it (C8H8 gas detector) as well as the appropriate respiratory protection equipment (gas mask or assisted ventilation device with type A gas filter ).
Main characteristics of styrene (C8H8)
Styrene (C8H8) is used in the manufacture of plastics such as polystyrene. By reacting with other monomers such as acrylonitrile and/or butadiene it is used to synthesize rubber or latex. The pharmaceutical and perfume industries use small amounts of styrene as an additive in perfumes and medicines. The chemical industries use it as a solvent in the synthesis of polyester resins.
Health effects of styrene
Colorless or sometimes yellowish , styrene (C3H8) has a sweet odor, detectable from 0.15 ppm. It is a very harmful organic compound, harmful by inhalation and can cause skin and eye irritation (R36/38). Flammable between 0.9% and 6.8% volume, styrene vapors can form explosive mixtures. It also has reprotoxic effects , and the IARC* classifies it as a possible carcinogen for humans (Group 2B).
*IARC: International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the WHO World Health Organization)
C8H8 (Styrene) gas detector
Despite a discernible odor, only a C8H8 gas detector can accurately measure the concentrations of this gas. Although explosive at 0.9% volume, an explosiveness measurement is useless with this highly toxic gas, so we will move towards detecting styrene in ppm .
Respiratory protection Styrene (C8H8)
Styrene is an eye irritant, so a full-face mask is recommended for short-term interventions or a more comfortable assisted ventilation device with type A gas filters. If concentrations exceed 60 times the OEL, a self-contained breathing apparatus will be essential.