Styrene dosage

Styrene is a volatile organic compound widely used in the chemical industry, particularly in the manufacture of plastics, resins, and composite materials. Its presence in food packaging or food contact materials must be strictly monitored due to its potential health risks.

Styrene measurement, performed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), allows this compound to be detected and quantified in different types of matrices. This analysis is essential to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance of products.

Understanding Styrene and Its Uses

Styrene is primarily used as a monomer in the production of polystyrene and styrenic resins. It is found in:

• Food plastics (trays, cups, films)
• Composite resins
• Some construction and insulation materials
• Coatings and glues

Its wide industrial use explains the need to control its presence in finished products, particularly in materials intended to come into contact with food.

Risks associated with styrene

As a volatile organic compound, styrene can migrate from materials into foodstuffs. This migration poses a health risk because styrene is classified as a possible human carcinogen (group 2B, IARC) .

Potential effects include:

• Skin and respiratory irritations
• Neurotoxic effects at high exposures
• Chronic risks associated with prolonged food consumption
• For these reasons, the analysis of styrene in materials and packaging is a regulatory requirement and a major safety criterion.

Analytical method: GC-MS

Styrene determination is carried out by GC-MS (gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) .

This method offers:

• High sensitivity for the detection of styrene even at very low concentrations
• Precise and specific identification of the compound
• Reproducibility adapted to regulatory requirements
• Reliability in the assessment of migrations from plastic materials

GC-MS is recognized as the technique of choice for the detection of volatile organic compounds in materials and polymers.

Sectors concerned by styrene analysis

Styrene analysis is particularly relevant in:

• Food packaging : control of migration into food and compliance with European standards.
• Plastic materials : validation of resins, films, trays and polystyrene objects.
• Polymers and composites : quality control of finished styrene-based products.
• Chemical industry : monitoring of polymerization processes and detection of residues.

Typically analyzed matrices

Styrene dosage can be applied to various matrices:

• Polystyrene films and trays
• Plastic objects intended for food contact
• Styrenic resins
• Finished products containing composites
• Miscellaneous packaging materials subject to migration

Regulatory and quality issues

European regulations impose specific migration limits (SMLs) for styrene in food contact materials.

The main issues in styrene dosage are:

• Health safety : protecting consumers from the risks associated with exposure to styrene.
• Regulatory compliance : ensuring compliance with the SMLs imposed by the European Union.
• Quality control : check the purity of styrenic polymers and resins.
• Reliability of finished products : ensuring the transparency and traceability of packaging placed on the market.

YesWeLab support for your styrene analyses

YesWeLab supports you in your styrene analyses thanks to a network of partner laboratories specialized in migration controls and physicochemical analyses. Our partners, accredited and certified (ISO 17025, COFRAC), use validated methods to guarantee reliable and recognized results.

Thanks to our digital platform, you benefit from:

• Simplified submission of your samples
• Real-time monitoring of your analyses
• Fast and secure restitution of your results

Since 2020, many manufacturers, distributors and design offices have entrusted us with their analytical projects in order to secure their products and meet regulatory requirements.

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