Journal article
Environmental Styrene Exposure and Sensory and Motor Function in Gulf Coast Residents
Environmental health perspectives, Vol.127(4), pp.47006-47006
04/01/2019
DOI: 10.1289/EHP3954
PMCID: PMC6785236
PMID: 31009265
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although styrene is an established neurotoxicant at occupational exposure levels, its neurotoxicity has not been characterized in relation to general population exposures. Further, occupational research to date has focused on central nervous system impairment.
OBJECTIVE: We assessed styrene-associated differences in sensory and motor function among Gulf coast residents.
METHODS: We used 2011 National Air Toxics Assessment estimates of ambient styrene to determine exposure levels for 2,956 nondiabetic Gulf state residents enrolled in the Gulf Long-term Follow-up Study, and additionally measured blood styrene concentration in a subset of participants 1 to 2 y after enrollment (n = 310). Participants completed an enrollment telephone interview and a comprehensive test battery to assess sensory and motor function during a clinical follow-up exam 2 to 4 y later. Detailed covariate information was ascertained at enrollment via telephone interview. We used multivariate linear regression to estimate continuous differences in sensory and motor function, and log-binomial regression to estimate prevalence ratios for dichotomous outcomes. We estimated associations of both ambient and blood styrene exposures with sensory and motor function, independently for five unique tests.
RESULTS: Those participants in the highest 25% vs. lowest 75% of ambient exposure and those in the highest 10% vs. lowest 90% of blood styrene had slightly diminished visual contrast sensitivity. Mean vibmtactile thresholds were lower among those in the highest vs. lowest quartile of ambient styrene and the highest 10% vs. lowest 90% of blood styrene (-0.13 log microns; 95% CI: -0.23, -0.03 and -0.39 log microns; 95% CI: -0.72, -0.05, respectively). The highest vs. lowest quartile of ambient styrene was associated with significantly poorer postural stability, and (unexpectedly) with significantly greater grip strength.
DISCUSSION: We observed associations between higher styrene exposure and poorer visual, sensory, and vestibular function, though we did not detect associations with reduced voluntary motor system performance. Associations were more consistent for ambient exposures, but we also found notable associations with measured blood styrene.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Environmental Styrene Exposure and Sensory and Motor Function in Gulf Coast Residents
- Creators
- Emily J. Werder - National Institute of Environmental Health SciencesDale P. Sandler - National Institute of Environmental Health SciencesDavid B. Richardson - Univ N Carolina, Epidemiol Dept, Gillings Sch Global Publ Hlth, Chapel Hill, NC 27515 USAMichael E. Emch - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillRichard K. Kwok - National Institute of Environmental Health SciencesFredric E. Gerr - University of IowaLawrence S. Engel - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Environmental health perspectives, Vol.127(4), pp.47006-47006
- Publisher
- Us Dept Health Human Sciences Public Health Science
- DOI
- 10.1289/EHP3954
- PMID
- 31009265
- PMCID
- PMC6785236
- ISSN
- 0091-6765
- eISSN
- 1552-9924
- Number of pages
- 12
- Grant note
- P30ES010126 / NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) P2CHD050924 / EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD) Z01 ES 102945 / Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) National Institutes of Health Common Fund; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/01/2019
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health; Epidemiology
- Record Identifier
- 9984364404602771
Metrics
16 Record Views