(ICIS) -- US federal health regulators on Friday declared that styrene is ⌠reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen, a classification that sector officials have warned could have broad negative impact across multiple US industries.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued its long-expected 12th Report on Carcinogens (RoC) in which styrene is listed as a likely cause of cancer in humans.
That classification has long been anticipated by styrene industry officials who last month filed an appeal to the department seeking a review of the decision. More than 60 members of Congress also asked the department to revise or delay its styrene finding. But with publication of its Report on Carcinogens, HHS has effectively rejected those appeals.
Styrene industry groups were expected to file suit soon to seek court action to block or revoke the department's decision.
In listing styrene as a likely carcinogen, HHS said in a statement that the decision was made on the basis of ⌠human cancer studies, laboratory animal studies and mechanistic scientific information.