ILO Home
Go to the home page
Site map | Contact us Français | Español

CISDOC database

Document ID (ISN)106095
CIS number 07-160
ISSN - Serial title 1076-2752 - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Year 2006
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Toppila E., Forsman P., Pyykkö I., Starck J., Tossavainen T., Uitti J., Oksa P.
Title Effect of styrene on postural stability among reinforced plastic boat plant workers in Finland
Bibliographic information Feb. 2006, Vol.48, No.2, p.175-180. Illus. 26 ref.
Abstract Many substances are vestibulotoxic and may impair balance. Styrene is both ototoxic and neurotoxic, but its effect on balance has been little studied. This study evaluated the effect of exposure to low concentrations of styrene on balance among Finnish manufacturers of fibreglass-reinforced plastic boats. Postural stability and urinary mandelic acid concentrations were determined for 252 male employees. Postural stability was evaluated by means of force platform and photographic recording. Individual exposure to styrene in the breathing zone was measured for 148 workers. It was found that the postural stability of laminators was worse than that of other workers. This impairment was observed already in young workers, and tended to worsen with age.
Descriptors (primary) Finland; styrene; boat-building; exposure evaluation; sense of balance; reinforced plastics
Descriptors (secondary) personal sampling; male workers; vestibular disorders; determination in urine; balance tests; determination in air; breathing atmosphere
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceFinland
Subject(s) Chemicals, plastics and rubber
Toxic and dangerous substances
Broad subject area(s) Chemical safety
Browse category(ies) Aromatic hydrocarbons
Exposure evaluation