Vizag Gas Leak: What is styrene and how can it kill if inhaled?

The styrene gas, which leaked from a chemical plant in Visakhapatnam on Thursday and killed at least 11 people, is a synthetic chemical used to make plastic and synthetic rubber packaging. The colorless liquid evaporates easily and can be fatal if inhaled or ingested in large quantities. High exposure can cause coma and pulmonary edema (swelling in the chest), while low and moderate exposure can cause burning sensation, skin irritation and affect the nervous system.