• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2010

This technical report was developed to suggest the guideline to assess the safe use and handling metalworking fluids (MWFs) in machining operation. The basis of this method developed in this study was based on self assessment procedure recommended by Organization Resources Counselors (ORC) of the United States (US). In addition, various MWF management elements obtained from the review on various articles, reports and author's experience regarding MWF were newly added to the evaluation guideline. A total of four areas were finally selected in order to control exposure to MWF used in machining operations. They are all related to the presence and efficiency of the control measures, exposure assessment, management on tank and sump, and safe treatment of chips and metal fines generated during machining operations. Each area is consisted of several related elements. Several evaluation areas and elements used in this study could be revised, replaced, added and deleted according to the process environment, evaluation objectives and evaluator's (manager) criteria etc. This evaluation guide manual could be used for safe management of MWF in metalworking operation. In addition, industrial hygienists can use this evaluation method for auditing and evaluating the management status on MWF.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2007

We have reviewed all cases and epidemiological studies that have reported the association between worker's exposure to metalworking fluids(MWF) and non-malignant respiratory diseases. The followings are main conclusions we critically reviewed. Exposure to MWF was believed to be significantly related to the risk of cough and phlegm. Relative risk caused by straight MWF was found to be higher in exposure to straight MWF than water-soluble MWF. We also found that exposure to water-soluble MWF significantly caused hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and occupational asthma. The main culprits that cause the development of HP and asthma are believed to be microbes contaminated in MWF, ethanolamine and biocides. HP and asthma could be developed at even exposure to lower than $0.5mg/m^3$, exposure level recommended by NIOSH. Most epidemiological studies have reported that relationship between chronic bronchitis and exposure to MWF was significant. Although there were several studies that suggested the significant association between exposure to MWF and the development of rhinitis and sinusitis, we could not conclude the causal relationship because of lack of evidences.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 1997

The objectives of this study were both 10 discuss the sampling method for airborne metalworking fluids(MWF)' mist and 10 suggest measures to minimize worker's exposure to carcinogen contained in metalworking fluids. In order to measure airborne MWF mist, it seems to be appropriate to use NIOSH Method #0500(filler weight) rather than NIOSH Method # 5026(analysis by FTIR). Because MWF mist on PVC filter evaporated and migrated during sampling, worker's exposure to MWF could be underestimated. So, when evaluating worker's exposure to MWF mist, other environmental conditions also must be considered. Enclosure and local exhaust ventilation system seems to he the most effective measure and must be constructed with process facility. In order to control worker exposure to carcinogens contained in MWF, distillation type and condition for crude oil, PAH concentration in MWF, and viscosity index of MWF must legally be described.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.50-62
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• 2003

Exposure to metalworking fluids (MWFs) has significantly been associated with cancer developed in multi-organs, respiratory diseases and skin diseases. Several carcinogens to humans or animals are contained in MWFs. They have been reported to be mineral oils, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), formaldehyde and N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA). The great hazards of MWF have forced the advanced country including United States to regulate carcinogens contained in MWF. In 2001, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIHs) regarded MWF mist as suspected carcinogen to human (A2) and added it to “Notice of Intended Change (NIC)” list of 2001. In spite of the fact that much MWF has widely been used in many industries using machines, Korea has no legal actions for management of MWF. What is worse, even toxicity such as Carcinogenicity has not been reported. KS (Korean Standards) lists 7 advices of MWF but it does net state the hazards to health. It is very hard to control or minimize worker's exposure to MWF containing many carcinogens. Prier to the introduction of MWF to workplace, it is the most effective measure to regulate carcinogens below a certain level. Regulation on the content of PAH seems to be necessary because less amount of PAH in mineral oils improves the quality of MWF. Also, addition of nitrosating groups to MWF should be prohibited to minimize worker's exposure to NDELA. Employers and manufacturers should indicate the Carcinogenicity of all carcinogens in MWFs in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) in order fer workers to recognize Carcinogenicity. Legal actions have to be taken to protect workers from health hazards due to exposure to MWF by further investigation on MWF.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2012

The aim of this review was to assess current knowledge related to the occupational exposure limit (OEL) for fluid aerosols including either mineral or chemical oil that are generated in metalworking operations, and to discuss whether their OEL can be appropriately used to prevent several health risks that may vary among metalworking fluid (MWF) types. The OEL (time-weighted average; 5 mg/$m^3$, short-term exposure limit ; 15 mg/$m^3$) has been applied to MWF aerosols without consideration of different fluid aerosol-size fractions. The OEL, is also based on the assumption that there are no significant differences in risk among fluid types, which may be contentious. Particularly, the health risks from exposure to water-soluble fluids may not have been sufficiently considered. Although adoption of The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's recommended exposure limit for MWF aerosol (0.5 mg/$m^3$ ) would be an effective step towards minimizing and evaluating the upper respiratory irritation that may be caused by neat or diluted MWF, this would fail to address the hazards (e.g., asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis) caused by microbial contaminants generated only by the use of water-soluble fluids. The absence of an OEL for the water-soluble fluids used in approximately 80-90 % of all applicants may result in limitations of the protection from health risks caused by exposure to those fluids.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.451-457
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• 2001

Because liquids with high molecular weight such as mineral oil have low vapor pressure at room temperature, it is generally thought to be difficult to lose them to evaporation. However, when they are dispersed into air in small droplets during application in machining processes, their surface area becomes considerably higher. To determine the potential for metalworking fluids (MWF) filter losses, MWF mist was generated and collected on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) filters in test chamber. After collected MWF was exposed to clean air during designated period (range 10~240 minutes) and the filters were desiccated, losses were evaluated. As duration of clean air passing through PVC filter increased, loss of MWF gradually increased. MWF lost after 10 minutes ranged form 12.4 % to 21.8 % of the original loading mass, on average 53.3 % of the total loss. These results indicate that significant mass of MWF collected on PVC filters can be lost at the beginning of air sampling. Loss of MWF collected on PVC filter also occurred during desiccation without active airflow. In multiple regression to identify which factors influence the loss of MWF collected on PVC filter, both duration of air passing through PVC filter and MWF age (fresh vs. used) were significant predictor (p=0.0001). Therefore, workers' exposure to MWF measured method 0500, may underestimate true concentration. Further study is needed to develop a new method to quantify the workers' exposure to airborne MWF mist accurately.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.270-276
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• 2005

This study was conducted to examine whether a specific synthetic metalworking fluid (MWF), "A", in use for 10 months without replacement, displayed microbial resistance and to identify the additives associated with the control of microbial growth. Three synthetic MWF products ("A", "B", and "C") were studied every week for two months. Microbial deterioration of the fluids was assessed through evaluation by endotoxin, bacteria and fungi levels in the MWFs. In addition, formaldehyde, boron, ethanolamine, and copper levels were also studied to determine whether they influence microbial growth in water-based MWFs. Throughout the entire study in the sump where MWF "A" was used, bacteria counts were lower than 103 CFU/mL, and endotoxins never exceeded 103 EU/mL. These levels were significantly lower than levels observed in sumps badly deteriorated with microbes. Boron levels in MWF "A" ranged from 91.7 to 129.6 ppm, which was significantly higher than boron levels found in other MWF products. The total level of ethanolamine (EA) in MWF "A" ranged from 35,595 to 57,857 ppm (average 40,903 ppm), which was over ten times higher than that found in other MWFs. Monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA) concentrations in MWF "A" were also significantly higher than seen in other MWFs. However, although EA and boron might improve anti-microbial performance, their abuse can pose a serious risk to workers who handle MWFs. From an industrial hygiene perspective, our study results stress that the positive synergistic effect of boron and EA in reducing microbial activity in MWF must be balanced with the potentially negative health effects of such additives. Our study also addresses the disadvantage of failing to comprehensively report MWF additives on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Future research in MWF formulation is needed to find the best level of EA and boron for achieving optimal synergistic anti-microbial effects while minimizing employee health hazards.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.217-222
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• 2004

This study was conducted to estimate if the level of several chemical ingredients including alkanolamines or ethanolamines (EA) examined in the specific synthetic metalworking fluid (MWF) ‘A’ can cause anti-microbial activity and health effect. Three water-based MWF products (‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’) were studied every week for two months. Chemical ingredients such as formaldehyde, boron, EA, and copper were examined. In the sump where MWF ‘A’ was used, not only the total level of EA, monoethanolamine(MEA), diethanolamine(DEA) and triethanolamine(TEA), but also boron level were significantly higher than those of the other MWFs. ANOVA statistical tests indicated that levels of pH, alkalinity, boron, MEA, DEA and TEA in MWF ‘A’ were significantly higher than those in other MWF types. Correlation tests also found that levels of pH, alkalinity, boron, MEA, DEA and TEA in MWF ‘A’ are significantly correlated. We suggested the assumptions that excessive concentrations of EA, and borate at a high pH level, may cause anti-microbial resistance synergically. To demonstrate this assumption, additional study is needed to examine the relationship between the levels of microbes and excessive concentrations of EA, and borate at a high pH level.

• KSTLE International Journal
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.52-55
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• 2003

This study was conducted to estimate if the level of several chemical ingredients including alkanolamines or ethanolamines (EA) examined in the specific synthetic metalworking fluid (MWF) "A" can cause anti-microbial activity and health effect. Three water-based MWF products ("A", "B", and "C") were studied every week for two months (from June 1, 2002 to July 30, 2002). Chemical ingredients such as formaldehyde, boron, EA, and copper were examined. In the sump where MWF "A" was used, not only the total level of EA, monoethanolamine(MEA), diethanolamine(DEA) and triethanolamine(TEA), but also boron level were significantly higher than those of the other MWFs. ANOVA statistical tests indicated that levels of pH, alkalinity, boron, MEA, DEA and TEA in MWF "A" were significantly higher than those in other MWF types. Correlation tests also found that levels of pH, alkalinity, boron, MEA, DEA and TEA in MWF "A" are significantly correlated. We suggested the assumptions that excessive concentrations of EA, and borate at a high pH level, may cause anti-microbial resistance synergically. To demonstrate this assumption, additional study is needed to examine the relationship between the levels of microbes and excessive concentrations of EA, and borate at a high pH level.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.428-436
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• 2019

Background: Metalworking fluids (MWFs) are mixtures with inhalation exposures as mists, dusts, and vapors, and dermal exposure in the dispersed and bulk liquid phase. A quantitative risk assessment was performed for exposure to MWF and respiratory disease. Methods: Risks associated with MWF were derived from published studies and NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluations, and lifetime risks were calculated. The outcomes analyzed included adult onset asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, pulmonary function impairment, and reported symptoms. Incidence rates were compiled or estimated, and annual proportional loss of respiratory capacity was derived from cross-sectional assessments. Results: A strong healthy worker survivor effect was present. New-onset asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, at 0.1 mg/㎥ MWF under continuous outbreak conditions, had a lifetime risk of 45%; if the associated microbiological conditions occur with only 5% prevalence, then the lifetime risk would be about 3%. At 0.1 mg/㎥, the estimate of excess lifetime risk of attributable pulmonary impairment was 0.25%, which may have been underestimated by a factor of 5 or more by a strong healthy worker survivor effect. The symptom prevalence associated with respiratory impairment at 0.1 mg/㎥ MWF was estimated to be 5% (published studies) and 21% (Health Hazard Evaluations). Conclusion: Significant risks of impairment and chronic disease occurred at 0.1 mg/㎥ for MWFs in use mostly before 2000. Evolving MWFs contain new ingredients with uncharacterized long-term hazards.