Exposure to styrene in fiberglass-reinforced plastic manufacture: still a problem.

Objective: The aim of the work is to define occupational exposure to styrene in fiberglass manufacture; the phase of stretching styrene resins needs some manual handling and leads workers to be exposed to styrene.

Methods: We surveyed 20 workers in two companies manufacturing fiberglass, checking environmental levels and urinary concentrations of mandelic acid (MA), and phenylglioxylic acid (PGA). Workers completed a questionnaire collecting their medical history.