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You Know Styrene

A resource for consumers, employees and communities

  • The Styrene You Know
    • What Are Styrene’s Chemical Properties?
    • What Are the Uses and Benefits of Styrene?
  • Facts About Styrene
    • Frequently Asked Questions about Styrene
  • Styrene Health & Safety
    • How Do Consumers Use Styrene-Based Products?
    • Where Is Styrene Found in the Community?
    • How Does Styrene Affect Workers?
  • Styrene & Sustainability
    • How Does Styrene Improve Product Performance?
    • How Are Styrene Products Recycled and Recovered?
  • Jobs & the Economy

What Are Styrene’s Chemical Properties?

Styrene is a binding material that is manufactured to create strong, durable composites.

Styrene is a monomer. Monomer means “one part” and refers to a single molecule that can combine with the same or similar molecules. When many monomers form a larger molecule, it becomes a polymer. For example, many styrene monomer molecules form a substance — polystyrene — with properties different than the monomer.

Styrene, which is a liquid at room temperature, is used all over the world as a raw material to create high-performance plastics, composites, and other products. For detailed physical property information, visit styrene.org.

Did you know?

Styrene is often confused with polystyrene foam (frequently called Styrofoam®, which is actually a trademarked name for foam insulation), but in fact it is the building block substance – or monomer – from which polystyrene is derived. Styrene, a liquid, and polystyrene, a solid, are fundamentally different. Polystyrene is inert and has no odor of styrene. Polystyrene is often used in applications where hygiene is important, such as health care and food service products.

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In North America, the Styrene Information & Research Center (SIRC) serves as a resource for industry, federal and state governments, and international agencies on issues related to the potential impact of exposure to styrene on human health and the environment.

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