Respiratory exposure to components of water-miscible metalworking fluids

Suuronen, K; Henriks-Eckerman, ML; Riala, R; Tuomi, T

HERO ID

632121

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2008

Language

English

PMID

18678881

HERO ID 632121
In Press No
Year 2008
Title Respiratory exposure to components of water-miscible metalworking fluids
Authors Suuronen, K; Henriks-Eckerman, ML; Riala, R; Tuomi, T
Journal Annals of Occupational Hygiene
Volume 52
Issue 7
Page Numbers 607-614
Abstract Water-miscible metalworking fluids (MWFs) are capable of causing respiratory symptoms and diseases. Recently, much emphasis has been put on developing new methods for assessing respiratory exposure to MWF emulsions. The air concentrations of ingredients and contaminants of MWF and inhalable dust were measured in 10 metal workshops in southern Finland. Oil mist was determined by infra red spectroscopy analysis after tetrachloroethylene extraction from the filter. Aldehydes were collected on Sep-Pak chemosorbents and analysed by liquid chromatography. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were collected on Tenax adsorbents and analysed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection after thermal desorption. Endotoxins were collected on glass fibre filter and analysed by enzyme-based spectrophotometry, and viable microbes were collected on polycarbonate filter and cultured. Inhalable dust was collected on cellulose acetate filter and quantified gravimetrically. Associations between the different exposures were calculated with Spearman's correlations. The mean concentration of oil mist was 0.14 (range <0.010-0.60) mg m(-3). The mean total concentration of aldehydes was 0.095 (0.026-0.38) mg m(-3), with formaldehyde as the main aldehyde. The average total concentration of VOC was 1.9 (0.34-4.5) mg m(-3) consisting mainly of high-boiling aliphatic hydrocarbons. Several potential sensitizing chemicals such as terpenes were found in small quantities. The concentration of microbial contaminants was low. All the measured air concentrations were below the Finnish occupational exposure limits. The exposure in machine shops was quantitatively dominated by volatile compounds. Additional measurements of MWF components such as aldehydes, alkanolamines and VOCs are needed to get more information on the chemical composition of workshops' air. New air cleaning methods should be introduced, as oil mist separators are insufficient to clean the air of small molecular impurities.
Doi 10.1093/annhyg/men048
Pmid 18678881
Wosid WOS:000259973100006
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Air Pollutants; Air Pollutants,Occupational; analysis; Environmental Monitoring; Humans; Industrial Oils; Inhalation Exposure; Metallurgy; methods; Occupational Exposure; Oils,Volatile; PubMed 07/14/08 to 03/03/09; Spectrophotometry; Tetrachloroethylene; Water
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