The authors examined indicators of the effect of free radicals (MDA, SOD, GSHPx, selenium) in 38 workers exposed to styrene. They revealed a statistically significant (p < 0.01) correlation of SOD activity and the period of exposure to styrene and also a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.05) between urinary selenium excretion and the period of exposure to styrene as well as a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.01) between the MDA serum concentration and urinary selenium excretion. There is no statistically significant difference between the MDA plasma concentration among smokers and non-smokers, the SOD activity is significantly higher in non-smokers (p < 0.05). Based on the revealed findings the authors assume that free radicals may also play a part in the action of styrene on the organism.

Keywords: Adult; Female; Free Radicals /metabolism/; Glutathione Peroxidase /blood/; Humans; Male; Malondialdehyde /blood/; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure; Risk Factors; Selenium /metabolism/; Styrene; Styrenes /adverse effects/; Superoxide Dismutase /blood/