Review of Respiratory Morbidity from Occupational Exposure to Oil Mists

Abstract

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has recommended that the threshold limit value (TLV) for mineral oil mists be dramatically lowered, based on epidemiological evidence of respiratory health effects among machinists exposed to various metalworking fluid mists. A review of the literature regarding respiratory health effects from either metalworking or non-metalworking fluids suggest that machinists may have experienced slightly higher prevalence of common respiratory symptoms and mild and reversible cross-shift changes in some measures of pulmonary function. However, the inconsistency and potential for both random and systematic error in this body of literature argue against drawing definitive conclusions. There is also no substantive evidence that any of these effects led to permanent disease or impairment. The most likely causal agents for respiratory effects in these workers are microbial contaminants in water-based metalworking fluids, not straight mineral oils. This is consistent with the epidemic outbreaks of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, bronchitis, and asthma reported at some work sites using water-based metalworking fluids. This highlights the importance of frequent cleaning and fluid changes for metalworking fluid reservoirs, as part of a systematic approach to managing metalworking fluid aerosol exposures. A dramatic drop in the TLV for mineral oil mists would not resolve this problem.

Is potroom asthma due more to sulphur dioxide than fluoride? An inception cohort study in the Australian aluminium industry

“…However, this result was based on small numbers of subjects and could be a chance finding in the context of multiple comparisons. Previous studies of occupational exposures to oil mist have not found any consistent associations with asthma prevalence or BHR 29. While there is some evidence that exposure to metal working fluids can be associated with the development of BHR,30 there is much less evidence for exposures to mineral or synthetic oils in other industries 29…”

Rhinitis associated with pesticide exposure among commercial pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study

“…Petroleum oil is another pesticide that was associated with rhinitis and has previously been associated with wheeze. Although knowledge of its health effects as a pesticide are limited, it is recognised that exposure to mineral and petroleum oil in metal workers results in respiratory symptoms 11 12. Studies in animals showed that high levels of hydrocarbon oils exert toxic effects on the lung,13 but evaluation of nasal epithelium did not reveal differences.…”

Effect of Metalworking Fluid Mist Exposure on Cross‐Shift Decrement in Peak Expiratory Flow

“…A few authors have reported that there was a significantly decreased cross-shift in FEV1 related to soluble MWF 3,6,20) . Unlike cross-shift decrements in PEF, many studies have concluded that respiratory symptoms were significantly associated with MWF exposure 2,4,8,9,19,21,27) . The ability of this study to find the appropriate MWF value that could be recommended to minimize the potential for respiratory effects could have been limited by the objective monitoring of lung function using PEF and by the relatively small number of workers handling MWF.…”