What chemicals are in styrene?

[greymack]

Hello everyone ,I was just wondering if anyone ever thought what harmful chemicals go into styrene to make the product ?

[Fat Brian]

Here is the Wiki for styrene, it's safe to say there isn't anything good for you in there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrene

[george 53]

Other than some kinda oil I have NO idea at all. Hey, as long as it glues is cool with me. Been doin it for so long, anything that can affect me ,ALREADY has!!!!(maybe THAT'S my problem!!! LOL!!!!) :lol:

[Junkman]

If that stuff was harmful, I'd be dead by now.

The link to Wikipedia previously posted is misleading, since it is referring to Styrene, a toxic liquid more commonly known as Vinyl Benzene.

However, as you may have noticed, model kits aren't liquid. This is due to the fact, that they aren't made of Styrene at all, but Polystyrene (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene), which is a totally harmless plastic with no known health hazards.

Edited June 23, 2012 by Junkman

[Harry P.]

From the same wikipedia article:

On 10 June 2011, the US National Toxicology Program has described styrene as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen".^[2][3]

^{Uh oh...}

[Junkman]

From the same wikipedia article:

On 10 June 2011, the US National Toxicology Program has described styrene as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen".^[2][3]

^{Uh oh...}

Good thing then that model kits aren't made of Styrene. Even better that they aren't liquid.

[Harry P.]

Wasn't the original question about styrene?

[MAGNUM4342]

Model kits ARE NOT made of styrene??? Since when?

[Junkman]

Wasn't the original question about styrene?

'styrene to make the product'. I concluded with 'product' model kits are meant. And model kits aren't made from Styrene.

Model kits ARE NOT made of styrene??? Since when?

They never were made from Styrene.

[MAGNUM4342]

If model kits are not made of styrene, then #1-Why do all the instruction sheets say "use cement and paint made for styrene" and #2 What ARE they made of?

[Junkman]

If model kits are not made of styrene, then #1-Why do all the instruction sheets say "use cement and paint made for styrene" and #2 What ARE they made of?

Shall I repeat once more my opinion about what oafs run the model kit industry? They mean Polystyrene. Model kits are made from Polystyrene. But what do they know about anything?

Edited June 23, 2012 by Junkman

[The70judgeman]

From the same wikipedia article:

On 10 June 2011, the US National Toxicology Program has described styrene as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen".^[2][3]

^{Uh oh...}

So, in other words...don't eat it.

[Junkman]

So, in other words...don't eat it.

Don't drink it. Styrene is a toxic liquid. Model kits are not made from Styrene, but Polystyrene, which is a non-harmful plastic.

Edited June 23, 2012 by Junkman

[jeffs396]

For all of you here that do not want to work with your kits any longer due to health concerns, send 'em my way, I'm a risk taker

[george 53]

Uh, Junkman, I THINK you said it right when you called it POLYstyrene. TWO different chemicals. An like I said, If it WAS harmfull , welp, I'm up ship creek!!!!! :lol:

[Foxer]

If I was all of you, I'd listen to Dr. Pamp.

[Harry P.]

ok... let's clear this up.

The original question asked was what chemicals are found in styrene. The question was answered by referring to the wikipedia article.

But as Christian pointed out, the plastic that most model kits are made of is polystyrene, which is a compound in which styrene is one of the components. Styrene on its own is carcinogenic, polystyrene has been accepted worldwide as being "safe"... after all, it's what many plastic food containers, and plastic knives, forks and spoons are made of!

[greymack]

Hey guys well I know from experience there is a low risk factor to handling this plastic and by no means am I going to give up this hobby its to much fun .But on the other hand still have to be safe right?

[Ace-Garageguy]

Just for the record, most plastics, once they're in the SOLID form, exhibit NO health risks whatsoever. Or at least no more than wearing polyester pants.

For instance, there is a specific hardener for an aviation epoxy I've used for years that will cause sensitization over time, and initiates bleeding from the skin in some people on first contact. It is really mean stuff. Once it's mixed with the resin however, and POLYMERIZES, it's absolutely and totally inert. Safe. You could grind it up and eat it, and it would just come out the other end. Same thing goes for POLYSTYRENE, which is what everyone calls "styrene". Liquid styrene is a component of POLYESTER based fiberglass resin as well, but once it POLYMERIZES, the resultant solid is also inert.

BURNING polystyrene at low temperatures, like outdoors in a trash fire or barrel, of almost any kind WILL release highly toxic chemicals. HIGHLY. See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Also see: http://www.wecf.eu/cms/download/2004-2005/homeburning_plastics.pdf

It's about the dangerous health effects of home burning of plastics. Something EVERYONE should know about. NEVER BURN PVC. It releases dioxin.

Edited June 23, 2012 by Ace-Garageguy

[Wayne's World]

Hey folks, I've worked in the plastics manufacturing biz since 1989. I am currently the production manager for a company that produces PVC pipe and fittings for furniture and other structural uses. Prior to this position, I worked for a sheet styrene manufacturer.

In the business, polystyrene is simply called styrene. Styrofoam is called EPS, whether it is expanded (bead foam) or extruded (closed cell). Polystyrene, whether formed by extrusion or injection molding is simply styrene.

In any form, styrene is inert to the end user, UNLESS IT IS HEATED over 212°F, at which point it begins to degrade from a polymer back into the styrene monomer, carbon dioxide, and water. This is mentioned in the wiki. The styrene monomer is "alledgedly" carcinogenic. As modelers, we will never experience the styrene monomer. Only the manufacturers of the virgin polystyrene pellets would have such contact, and that process is performed under vacuum, which draws away the harmful fumes. Even during secondary processing, whereby extrusion and injection are performed, the machines are vented to prevent exposure to harmful fumes.

In a nutshell, yes, styrene processing is potentially hazardous. A little ole government agency called OSHA makes sure that our styrene won't give you cancer. Just be sure that, if you heat styrene to the point that you can smell it, open a window. And, take your leftovers out of the styrodoggy-bags before you nuke them.

Edited June 23, 2012 by Wayne's World

[Ace-Garageguy]

Interesting thing is that styrene emissions aren't always regulated by OSHA or EPA. A few years back, I went to work running a small producer of polyester fiberglass aftermarket parts for aircraft. They were made in open molds, which is still a valid production method for small companies. Concerned that, as we were in a semi-residential area, we'd get hit by EPA at some point, I thought a little pre-emptive cleanup would be in order. I called my local EPA office and explained the situation.

They said "has anyone complained?".

I said "no".

They said "don't worry about it then".

Just gives you a warm fuzzy feeling all over, doesn't it?

[Wayne's World]

Interesting thing is that styrene emissions aren't always regulated by OSHA or EPA. A few years back, I went to work running a small producer of polyester fiberglass aftermarket parts for aircraft. They were made in open molds, which is still a valid production method for small companies. Concerned that, as we were in a semi-residential area, we'd get hit by EPA at some point, I thought a little pre-emptive cleanup would be in order. I called my local EPA office and explained the situation.

They said "has anyone complained?".

I said "no".

They said "don't worry about it then".

Just gives you a warm fuzzy feeling all over, doesn't it?

I'm sorry, but I have worked also in the manufacture of polyester, both fiber and resins. Styrene isn't a component of polyester. Polyols, namely ethylene glycol, polyethylene, and polyethylene glycol are the primary components of polyester resin. Polyester resin is a thermosetting plastic, which sets in a rigid state by the addition of heat, usually from a chemical reaction. Styrene is thermoplastic, which sets in a rigid state by heating, and cooling, without a chemical reaction. Styrene is formed by heating a solid to a malleable state, almost liquid, and then cooling it. Polyester starts as a liquid, and when catalyzed, hardens with heat precipitated by chemical reaction.

[Art Anderson]

Wasn't the original question about styrene?

Because that's what we modelers tend to call polystyrene plastic. I believe it's styrene monomer, which is a liquid, that is considered toxic--there have been a number of occasions where a railroad tank car full of the stuff has been involved in a derailment, and when that happens, it's a very serious HazMat situation. But, solid polystyrene resins, which is what our model kits are made from, is actually quite benign--if it wasn't, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) would have been on the stuff in a heartbeat, and they are noticeably silent about polystyrene.

Now, burn polystyrene, and all manner of toxic gases are released, and if inhaled in sufficient quantities, they can cause illness, even fatalities. Fortunately, very few modelers set fire to any large quantities of polystyrene, but in the case of a house fire, the sheet volume of polystyrene, along with polyvinyl, polyester plastics (anywhere from that fiberglas tub and shower enclosure to your cotton/polyester blend clothes and household fabrics (curtains, draperies, carpeting, upholstery coverings), and even polyurethane are what turn into real killers (smoke inhalation).

Art

[Wayne's World]

Because that's what we modelers tend to call polystyrene plastic. I believe it's styrene monomer, which is a liquid, that is considered toxic--there have been a number of occasions where a railroad tank car full of the stuff has been involved in a derailment, and when that happens, it's a very serious HazMat situation. But, solid polystyrene resins, which is what our model kits are made from, is actually quite benign--if it wasn't, the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) would have been on the stuff in a heartbeat, and they are noticeably silent about polystyrene.

Now, burn polystyrene, and all manner of toxic gases are released, and if inhaled in sufficient quantities, they can cause Po Poeven fatalities. Fortunately, very few modelers set fire to any large quantities of polystyrene, but in the case of a house fire, the sheet volume of polystyrene, along with polyvinyl, polyester plastics (anywhere Ifrom that fiberglas tub and shower enclosure to your cotton/polyester blend clothes and household fabrics (curtains, draperies, carpeting, upholstery coverings), and even polyurethane are what turn into real killers (smoke inhalation).

Art

Sort of what I just said. Monomer=hazardous. Polymer=inert. Just don't heat it over 212°F without adequate ventilation.

Edited June 23, 2012 by Wayne's World

[Art Anderson]

From the same wikipedia article:

On 10 June 2011, the US National Toxicology Program has described styrene as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen".^[2][3]

^{Uh oh...}

Interesting to note from the Wikipedia article is that styrene is not only a manufactured chemical feedstock, but that it ALSO occurs naturally in some trees, even common fruits and vegetables we eat.

Art