title: Styrene-associated health outcomes at a windblade manufacturing plant.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Health risks of using styrene to manufacture windblades for the green energy sector are unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using data collected from 355 (73%) current windblade workers and regression analysis, we investigated associations between health outcomes and styrene exposure estimates derived from urinary styrene metabolites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median current styrene exposure was 53.6 mg/g creatinine (interquartile range: 19.5-94.4). Color blindness in men and women (standardized morbidity ratios 2.3 and 16.6, respectively) was not associated with exposure estimates, but was the type previously reported with styrene. Visual contrast sensitivity decreased and chest tightness increased (odds ratio 2.9) with increasing current exposure. Decreases in spirometric parameters and FeNO, and increases in the odds of wheeze and asthma-like symptoms (odds ratios 1.3 and 1.2, respectively) occurred with increasing cumulative exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite styrene exposures below the recommended 400 mg/g creatinine, visual and respiratory effects indicate the need for additional preventative measures in this industry.
authors: Field Studies Branch, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia.|Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors: Anna-Binney
authors: AB
authors: McCague
authors: Field Studies Branch, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors: Jean M
authors: JM
authors: Cox-Ganser
authors: Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors: Joshua M
authors: JM
authors: Harney
authors: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors: K Udeni
authors: KU
authors: Alwis
authors: Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors: Benjamin C
authors: BC
authors: Blount
authors: Field Studies Branch, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors: Kristin J
authors: KJ
authors: Cummings
authors: Field Studies Branch, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Edwards
authors: Field Studies Branch, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors: Kathleen
authors: K
authors: Kreiss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D059366:Asthma, Occupational / Q000139:chemically induced; D003117:Color Vision Defects / Q000139:chemically induced; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000187:drug effects; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D066192:Manufacturing Industry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013147:Spirometry; D020058:Styrene / Q000633:toxicity / Q000652:urine*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D020058:Styrene; D003404:Creatinine
keywords: color vision defects; contrast sensitivity; occupational exposure; spirometry; styrene