Health Effects from Occupational Exposure to Metalworking Fluid Mist

Abstract

Metalworking fluids (MWFs) are an essential part of a technological process. They are used in machining operations for enhancing cutting process performance. The performance of MWFs depends on properties such as specific heat, viscosity, density and thermal conductivity. MWFs are used to cool and lubricate the cutting zone, flush away chips and inhibit corrosion during machining operations. On the other hand, MWFs are associated with formation of liquid aerosols (mists) that represents two types of occupational risk factors for machine operators - chemical and biological. Epidemiological assessments with machine operators in the metalworking industry have identified dermatologic and respiratory effects. The aim of this article is to review what is known about health effects from inhalation exposure to mist from various types of MWFs.

Predicting the Splash of a Drop Impacting a Thin Liquid Film

“…This environmental contamination has been identified as a chemical and/or biological occupational risk factor leading to dermatological and respiratory ailments, such as increased occurrence of asthma, hypersensitive pneumonitis, and cancer of the esophagus, stomach, larynx, etc. 1 In order to minimize the risks of such outcomes from spray-drop impingement splash, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have defined permissible exposure limits that the industry is required to comply with. 2 Resolving and understanding the splash and adhesion phenomena of drop impact would therefore assist greatly in exercising better process control in all these multifaceted usages.…”

“…Because chemicals (biocides, chelating agents, surfactants, and fatty acids, among others) are used in their working liquids, splash-induced airborne secondary droplets engender localized pollution. This environmental contamination has been identified as a chemical and/or biological occupational risk factor leading to dermatological and respiratory ailments, such as increased occurrence of asthma, hypersensitive pneumonitis, and cancer of the esophagus, stomach, larynx, etc . In order to minimize the risks of such outcomes from spray-drop impingement splash, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have defined permissible exposure limits that the industry is required to comply with .…”

Morphology of the Chip Formation at Orthogonal High Speed Milling of AISI H13

“…There are several methods of these problems solution, mentioned in [1,2,3], but unfortunately, many of them do not come out from the real conditions of the machining. On the basis of these facts and on preliminary experimental results [4], an experimental model for investigation of the chip formation morphology was proposed (in the next text it is called simply "MODEL"). The MODEL is designed due to analysis and evaluation of final state of chip created after milling and it is based on the special knowledge.…”