Styreenistä

Styreeni is the Finnish term for styrene, an organic compound with the chemical formula C8H8. It is an aromatic hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C6H5CH=CH2. Styrene is a colorless, oily liquid with a sweet smell, though it has a very strong and unpleasant odor at higher concentrations. It is a volatile organic compound and is flammable.

Commercially, styrene is produced primarily from ethylbenzene through a process of dehydrogenation. Ethylbenzene itself is typically synthesized by the alkylation of benzene with ethylene. The vast majority of styrene produced worldwide is used as a monomer in the production of polymers and copolymers.

The most common polymer derived from styrene is polystyrene (PS), a widely used plastic found in products such as disposable cutlery, food packaging, CD cases, and insulation. Styrene is also a key component in other important plastics, including acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), and styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN). These materials have diverse applications in automotive parts, consumer electronics, footwear, and tires.

Styrene is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Exposure can occur through inhalation or skin contact. Occupational exposure is a primary concern, but environmental exposure can also happen due to its presence in tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust, and certain food packaging. Health effects from exposure can include irritation of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract, as well as neurological effects.