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Safety
Industrial Hazards

α-methylstyrene(AMS) presents several industrial safety concerns due to its toxicity via ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption. α-methylstyrene is also highly flammable when stored at temperatures at or above 54C as explosive vapor/air mixtures can form.

Inhalation

Inhaling vapors of α-methylstyrene can cause irritation of the respiratory tract; this can also co-occur with symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, breathlessness & asphyxiation. OSHA has established a 100 ppm ceiling limit for workplace exposure of AMS and a total eight hour weight average of 50 ppm. Typically engineering controls such as fume hoods are used in order to reduce the risk of vapor inhalation and to keep airborne levels of AMS below the permissible safety limit. Other protective controls such as self contained breathing apparatuses are also used in industrial settings.

Dermal

If α-methylstyrene is exposed to the skin or eyes, irritation and burning may occur. In industrial settings clothing that has been contaminated with AMS may remain at the worksite for cleaning as typical home washers and dryers may not be sufficient for proper decontamination.

Flammable

Another industrial safety concern of α-methylstyrene is that when it is stored at temperatures at or above 54C explosive vapor/air mixtures can form. α-methylstyrene is highly flammable under conditions in which it is moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures with an NFPA fire rating of 2. Fire may produce inhalants that are irritating, corrosive and or toxic. Water is not typically used for the suppression of flames, rather fog or foam is used to control potential fires due to AMS being an oily substance.