• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

SIRC

Styrene Information & Research Center

  • About Styrene
    • Styrene Science
      • Styrene Risk Assessment
      • Styrene and Human Health
      • Styrene Exposure
      • SIRC-Supported Styrene Research
    • Government Regulations & Public Policy
    • Online Resources about Styrene
    • Questions and Answers
  • About Ethylbenzene
    • Ethylbenzene Science
      • Ethylbenzene Risk Assessment
      • Ethylbenzene and Human Health
      • Ethylbenzene Exposure
      • Industry-Supported Ethylbenzene Research
    • Government Regulations & Public Policy
    • Questions and Answers
  • About SIRC
    • Our People
    • SIRC Resources
    • Public Information
    • Contact

Ethylbenzene Risk Assessment

A comprehensive assessment of the potential human health effects of ethylbenzene was performed in 2007 by U.S. manufacturers of ethylbenzene to support the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Voluntary Children’s Chemical Evaluation Program.

The assessment focused on potential chronic health risks of children and prospective parents and included evaluations of ethylbenzene’s health hazards and exposures. A number of toxicity studies were conducted in advance of the assessment to improve knowledge of ethylbenzene’s potential toxicity to the immune system, reproduction and development, nervous system, and developing nervous system.  

Major conclusions of the assessment:

  • Ethylbenzene toxicity has been thoroughly evaluated for non-cancer and cancer health effects. The important hazards identified in animal studies are ototoxicity (hearing impairment) and cancer. Mechanistic information indicate that the cancers are rodent-specific or have low relevance to human exposures. 
  • Refinery operations and products are the major sources of ethylbenzene exposure. Inhalation is the predominate exposure route with diet providing minor contributions. 
  • Estimated health risk to children and prospective parents for ethylbenzene are within acceptable ranges.

The ethylbenzene risk assessment was published by the journal Critical Reviews in Toxicology in 2015.  

Footer

Styrene Information & Research Center
400 E Joppa Road, Suite 108
Towson, MD 21286
202-787-5996

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Member Login

Created for consumers, educators, the media, and industry employees, youknowstyrene.org is a reliable, one-stop source of information on styrene and styrene-based products.

Copyright © 2023 · SIRC