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Lung disease associated with occupational styrene exposure
Author(s) -
Meyer Keith C.,
Sharma Basant,
Kaufmann Brent,
Kupper Amanda,
Hodgson Michael
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22867
Subject(s) - medicine , styrene , bronchiolitis , hypersensitivity pneumonitis , asthma , occupational lung disease , pulmonary toxicity , inhalation , lung , respiratory system , toxicity , pneumonia , lung cancer , intensive care medicine , pathology , anesthesia , chemistry , organic chemistry , copolymer , polymer
Despite reports of pulmonary toxicity due to styrene, guidelines on acceptable styrene exposure levels have been based on risk of cancer and central nervous system and liver toxicity and not on respiratory effects. Many reports have linked exposure to styrene vapor in occupational settings to various forms of non‐malignant pulmonary disorders including bronchiolitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and occupational asthma. We report two cases in which the same tasks performed in a single workplace resulted in exposure to styrene vapor with subsequent development of acute respiratory symptoms associated with impaired gas exchange and imaging and histopathologic findings consistent with bronchiolitis and organizing pneumonia. Both patients gradually recovered once their workplace exposure to styrene was terminated. Clinicians, employers, and insurers should be aware of the potential for pulmonary toxicity from exposure to styrene.