Effect of Alcohol on the Kinetics of Styrene and its Metabolites in Volunteers and in Workers

Abstract

The reliability of mandelic acid (MA) and phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA) in urine as biological indicators of styrene exposure is impaired by the concurrent intake of ethyl alcohol. This has been verified by controlled experiments in the laboratory and in the field. Six males were exposed to styrene at 50 ppm with four concurrent levels of ethyl alcohol intake from 0 to 1 g per kg of body weight during or following exposure. Blood and urine samples were analyzed for MA, PGA, styrene epoxide (SO), and styrene glycol (SG). The MA/SG ratio in blood was found to be the most promising indicator and could be used as a metabolic “check-index.” An MA/SG ratio less than 30 is proposed as a warning level which is indicative of interference by alcohol intake. Similar studies on seven workers in a polyester plant yielded results in agreement with the controlled laboratory findings. Berode, M.; Droz, P. O.; Boillat, M. A.; Guillemin, M. Effect of alcohol on the kinetics of styrene and its metabolites in volunteers and in workers.