Chemical styrene, widely used in the manufacture of plastic products, is recognized as a more dangerous substance in terms of its carcinogenic potential. The conclusion that this chemical is capable of causing cancer is confirmed by the results of two large-scale studies, according to a press release from the University of Aarhus (Denmark).

Over the past 40 years, science has not provided a single valid opinion on how much styrene is dangerous in terms of the risk of cancer in humans. Now this opinion has sounded. Two scientific groups led by Aarhus University professor Henrik Kolstad conducted a study that ended with a verdict of specialists that styrene as a chemical should be transferred from the category of "possibly carcinogenic" to the category of "most likely carcinogenic".

In particular, at the first stage of the research, scientists analyzed the data of more than 73 thousand people who worked in production under conditions of exposure to styrene. Researchers have found that the effect of styrene on the human body over a period of 15 years doubles the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (a type of blood cancer).

In the second phase of the study (a report on it is published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine), the study and analysis of data on the effects of styrene on humans have concluded that prolonged exposure to styrene increases the risk of another rare type of cancer, the synonasal adenocarcinoma in the nasal cavity).

Previous studies have shown that the most harmful components of plastic are the chemical substances bisphenol S and bisphenol A.

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