Styrene has been used as a monomer in common polyester resins since the inception of CIPP over 50 years ago. Vinyl ester resins, which emerged in the early 1980s, used styrene as a monomer as well. While there are a diverse array of variations of monomers used in vinyl ester resins today, styrene-based polyester and vinyl ester resins are still the backbone of non-potable CIPP applications due to their ability to make CIPP into durable, long-lasting thermoset composite materials.
Potential inadvertent impacts on workers, the public, and the environment started to be studied in the early 2000s and became very focused over the last decade, as NASSCO engaged industry practitioners and researchers to more fully study the potential impacts and best practices for managing CIPP emissions in both air and cure water. The last phase of the NASSCO studies, completed in 2025, examined the potential impact of residual styrene in cure-water discharges on biological treatment processes in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), helping facilitate the management of projects in close proximity to them.
This webinar reviews case studies involving CIPP projects conducted very close to WWTPs and the methods used to monitor and manage styrene levels so that treatment processes were not compromised. A brief overview of the toolbox used for styrene management is also presented, including tools currently available and those desired for the longer term.
