Chemical Name: Styrene
Synonyms: Ethenylbenzene, Phenylethene, Vinylbenzene, Styrol, Cinnamene
CAS Number: 100-42-5
Recommended Uses: Used in the production of plastics, rubber, and resins; employed in manufacturing polystyrene; found in packaging and insulation; adopted in the automotive and construction sectors.
Supplier Information: Manufacturer and distributor names and addresses specific to source or local supplier.
Classification (GHS): Flammable liquid (Category 3), Acute toxicity (oral, Category 4), Skin irritation (Category 2), Eye irritation (Category 2A), Specific Target Organ Toxicity (Category 3, narcotic effects), Carcinogenicity (Category 2)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Highly flammable liquid and vapor, may cause respiratory irritation, causes skin and eye irritation, suspected of causing cancer, harmful if swallowed, may cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Substance: Styrene
Concentration: 99% or higher
Impurities: Small levels of t-butylcatechol (stabilizer), possibly ethylbenzene (<1%), trace polystyrene residues.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air quickly; provide artificial respiration if breathing stops; seek medical attention if symptoms persist; remove contaminated clothes if necessary.
Skin Contact: Take off contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water; consult a healthcare provider for persistent irritation.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with plenty of water, lifting lids occasionally and continue for at least 15 minutes; get prompt medical help if irritation develops or persists.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth with water and seek immediate medical attention; never administer anything orally to an unconscious person.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide; use water spray to cool containers.
Specific Hazards: Vapors can form explosive mixtures with air; combustion releases dense black smoke, carbon monoxide, and styrene oxide.
Firefighter Precautions: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear; evacuate area if large fire occurs due to the release of toxic fumes; containers may explode from heat.
Personal Precautions: Wear protective clothing, gloves, and eye protection; ensure proper ventilation in affected area; avoid breathing vapor or mist.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage; do not allow entry into drains, waterways, or soil.
Clean-up Methods: Contain and collect spillage with inert, non-combustible absorbent materials (sand, earth, vermiculite), place in proper disposal containers, and remove ignition sources; use non-sparking tools and equipment.
Handling: Use only in well-ventilated areas; keep away from heat, flames, sparks, static electricity sources; use explosion-proof equipment; avoid inhalation, ingestion, or direct skin contact.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from oxidizing agents, acids, and bases; keep container tightly closed and properly labeled; add stabilizers such as t-butylcatechol to prevent polymerization and monitor temperature regularly.
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 100 ppm (TWA); NIOSH REL: 50 ppm (TWA), 100 ppm (STEL); ACGIH TLV: 20 ppm (TWA), 40 ppm (STEL)
Engineering Controls: Provide mechanical ventilation or exhaust to reduce vapor concentration; ensure eye-wash stations and safety showers in working area.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or butyl rubber), splash-proof goggles, flame-retardant clothing, and in cases of high concentrations, use respiratory protection with organic vapor cartridges.
Appearance: Clear, colorless to yellow, oily liquid
Odor: Sweet, aromatic, penetrating odor
Melting Point: −30°C
Boiling Point: 145°C
Flash Point: 31°C (closed cup)
Vapor Pressure: 6.4 mmHg at 20°C
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water; miscible with ethanol, ether, benzene
Density: 0.909 g/cm³ at 20°C
Viscosity: 0.762 cP at 20°C
Autoignition Temperature: 490°C
Explosive Limits: 1.1% (LEL) – 6.1% (UEL) by volume in air
Partition Coefficient: Log Kow = 2.95
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions with stabilizer present; risk of polymerization increases with heat, light, or lack of inhibitor.
Hazardous Reactions: Polymerizes rapidly if uninhibited; reacts with strong acids, bases, and oxidizing materials.
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, open flames, spark sources, contamination with peroxides.
Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and under some fire conditions, styrene oxide and other toxic gases.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Acute Effects: Irritates skin and eyes; at high concentrations causes dizziness, headache, nausea, central nervous system effects.
Chronic Effects: Reports suggest liver toxicity, hearing loss, and central nervous system effects in workers chronically exposed to high levels.
Carcinogenicity: Classified by IARC as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans); NTP reasonably anticipated carcinogen.
LD50/LC50: Oral (rat): ~5000 mg/kg; Inhalation (rat): 12,000 mg/m³/4h
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic life; LC50 (fathead minnow, 96 h): 4.02 mg/L; EC50 (daphnia, 48 h): 4.7 mg/L
Environmental Fate: Moderately persistent in soil and water; evaporates rapidly from water surfaces due to volatility; breaks down in air with a half-life of 1–2 days; potential to bioaccumulate is low but not negligible.
Mobility: Slightly water soluble, tends to volatilize from surface water and soil; not likely to leach to groundwater under normal environmental conditions.
Waste Disposal Methods: Incinerate with appropriate controls in an approved facility; do not dispose of in landfill or sewers; dispose of contaminated absorbents, containers, and residues as hazardous waste according to regulatory requirements; consult local, state, and federal regulations for specific guidance.
Container Handling: Empty containers may retain product residue or vapor; treat as hazardous; ensure thorough cleaning and compliance with disposal policies.
UN Number: 2055
Proper Shipping Name: Styrene Monomer, Stabilized
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable Liquids)
Packing Group: III
Labels: Flammable liquid label required
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as a marine pollutant, but spills pose environmental risks.
Special Precautions: Transport only in vehicles with adequate ventilation; avoid shipping with oxidizers or other incompatible chemicals.
OSHA Status: Regulated hazardous chemical
TSCA: Listed on the Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
SARA Title III: Subject to Section 313 reporting due to toxic chemical status
CERCLA Reportable Quantity: 1000 lbs (454 kg)
California Proposition 65: Listed as a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer
WHMIS Classification (Canada): Class B2 (Flammable Liquid), Class D2A (Very Toxic - carcinogenicity), D2B (Toxic - skin/eye irritant)
HMIS Ratings: Health: 2, Flammability: 3, Reactivity: 2, Personal Protection: See Section 8 above
