Juntunen et al developed an exposure index to styrene for workers in the plastics industry. This can help determine the extent of a worker's exposure. The authors are from Helsinki, Finland.
Parameters:
(1) usual method of working with styrene
(2) years at work
(3) exposure in hours per day (lamination)
(4) concentration in parts per million (ppm)
(5) mandelic acid in mmol/L
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
|
usual method of working with styrene |
fully automatic |
1 |
|
|
closed process |
2 |
|
|
open process |
3 |
|
|
manual laminating |
4 |
|
|
spray laminating |
5 |
|
years at work |
< 5 |
1 |
|
|
5 - 9.9 |
2 |
|
|
10 - 14.9 |
3 |
|
|
15 - 19.9 |
4 |
|
|
>= 20 |
5 |
|
hours per day |
occasional |
1 |
|
|
< 4 |
2 |
|
|
4 - 5.99 |
3 |
|
|
>= 6 |
4 |
|
|
frequent overtime |
5 |
|
concentration in air in ppm |
< 20 |
1 |
|
|
20 - 49 |
2 |
|
|
50 - 99 |
3 |
|
|
100 - 149 |
4 |
|
|
>= 150 |
5 |
|
mandelic acid in mmol/L |
< 3.2 |
1 |
|
|
3.2 - 6.9 |
2 |
|
|
7.0 - 9.9 |
3 |
|
|
10 - 14.9 |
4 |
|
|
>= 15.0 |
5 |
points for dose =
= (points for hour per day) * (points for styrene concentration)
points for response =
= (points for hours per day) * (points for mandelic acid concentration)
total score =
= (points for working method) + (points for years working) + (points of dose) + (points for response)
exposure index =
= (total score) / 4
Interpretation:
• minimum index: 1
• maximum index: 15
• The higher the score the more significant the exposure to styrene.
Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
