Field study to explore possible effects of styrene on auditory function in exposed workers.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted this study to examine, whether occupational styrene exposures are associated with reduced hearing ability.


METHODS
The auditory function was investigated by pure tone audiometry and registration of transitory evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) in 32 workers of a fibre-reinforced plastic boat building factory. Sixteen subjects were laminators (mean age: 41 yr (SD: 8)) and therefore regularly exposed to styrene with mean duration of exposure to styrene of 7.5 yr (SD 5.0). The tests were applied to a reference group of 16 workers (mean age: 39 yr (SD: 8)) who were not directly exposed to styrene but had a similar noise exposure.


RESULTS
A few and isolated correlations between the parameters of hearing acuity and exposure indices, such as current internal styrene exposures (sum of MA and PGA) and duration of styrene exposure, were statistically significant, but no consistent association was found.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study do not support the assumption of an ototoxic effect of chronic styrene exposure in workers.
Hoffmann
Jörg
J
Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational and Social Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Vosstrasse 2, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
Ihrig
Andreas
A
Hoth
Sebastian
S
Triebig
Gerhard
G
D000328:Adult; D005858:Germany; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D020058:Styrene / Q000009:adverse effects*
D020058:Styrene