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Evaluation of the nephrotoxic potential of styrene in man and in rat
Author(s) -
Viau C.,
Bernard A.,
de Russis R.,
Ouled A.,
Maldague P.,
Lauwerys R.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of applied toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.784
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1099-1263
pISSN - 0260-437X
DOI - 10.1002/jat.2550070505
Subject(s) - styrene , nephrotoxicity , medicine , toxicology , toxicity , chemistry , biology , organic chemistry , copolymer , polymer
The urinary excretion of β 2 ‐microglobulin, retinol‐binding protein and albumin was measured in 65 workers exposed to styrene at levels averaging 50 percent of the current threshold limit value (215 mg/m 2 ) for 1–13 years (mean: 6 years). By comparison with a control group matched for age and socioeconomic status, no significant difference was observed in the urinary excretion of proteins. In rats, styrene was weakly nephrotoxic. No functional or morphological renal change could be disclosed in rats exposed to 565 mg of styrene/m 3 , 5 days/week for 13 weeks. The repeated i.p. injection of 1 g styrene/kg (1/5 of oral LD50) for 10 days induced only a slight tubular dysfunction as evidenced by a 5‐fold increase in β 2 ‐microglobulinuria. Altogether, these epidemiological and experimental data suggest that the current threshold limit value for styrene (215 mg/m 3 ) proposed by the American Conference of Governmental and Industrial Hygienists does not entail any risk of renal toxicity.