Effects of low concentration of styrene monomer vapor on pregnancy

Abstract

To investigate the effects of exposure to styrene vapor on pregnancy, mice proved to be pregnant were exposed to 0, 2, 20 and 100 ppm styrene continuously for 24 hours during the period from day 0 to day 15 of gestation. A special small exposure chamber which can accurately maintain a constant low concentration of styrene vapor was made and used in the experiment. 1) In the 100 ppm group, hyperkinesis was presented in the chamber during the exposure period and inhibition of body weight gain was found (p < 0.01). No deaths occurred in any of the groups. 2) At necropsy of dams, no significant difference was found between the styrene exposed groups and the control group in any of the fertility indices, number of implantations, number of live fetuses, percentage of resorptions, or in the percentage of dead fetuses. The 100 ppm group showed lower fetal and placental weights (p < 0.01). 3) Gross necropsy of dams in the 100 ppm group showed significantly decreased adipose tissue. The liver, kidney and spleen weights were also low (p < 0.01). 4) When exposed to 100 ppm, which corresponds to 5 times the permissible concentration, i.e., 20 ppm, for 24 hours, non-pregnant dams showed no abnormality, while pregnant dams showed inhibition of body weight gain and significantly lower fetal and placental weights and maternal organ weights. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to exposure of women of childbearing age to styrene.