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 Home > Agents implicated in occupational asthma > Causative Agent

Metal Working Fluid

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Known Synonyms

Houghton's MWF
metal working fluids
Metalworking fluid
Metal-working fluid
Methylene bis-morpholine in Metal-working fluid
molten metal fumes
mwf
Oil Mists
suds oil
tramp oil
Metalworking fluids (MWFs) are used to reduce heat and friction in industrial machining and grinding operations. MWFs may be complex mixtures of oils, emulsifiers, anti-weld agents, corrosion inhibitors, extreme pressure additives, buffers (alkaline reserve), biocides, and other additives. When used these oils may become contaminated with swarf, tramp oil, hydraulic fluid and other such manufacturing by-products. Water based MWFs support microbial growth and require biocides, both of which can cause occupational asthma. This array of potential sensitisers can make it very difficult to pin point a specific cause of disease from MWFs. Exposures to MWFs can cause occupational bronchitis, extrinsic allergic alveolitis, humdifier fever and occupational asthma.

We investigated Europe's largest reported outbreak of respiratory disease due to MWFs, at a factory manufacturing engines. The ratio of disease within the plant as a whole was 12.1% (95% Confidence interval 10% to 14.5%).

Several preventative measures are available to reduce MWF exposure, mainly extraction of the oil mist and covering / enclosing machinery.

References for: Metal Working Fluid See published papers on "Metal Working Fluid" from this website.
Haz-Map information on: Metal Working Fluid See information on "Metal Working Fluid" from the HazMap (Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases) website.

Oasys Notifications for Metal Working Fluid

The Oasys Audit scheme started midway through 2010 and collects agents typed in through the Oasys program. The years before 2010 show old data entered during 2010 or later and are likely to have many fewer notifications. We expect Oasys to become more widely adopted as time goes by so increasing notifications does not necessarily mean an increasing problem.

Occupational asthma notifications to the Oasys Audit Scheme for Metal Working Fluid

Selected References for Metal Working Fluid

Full Text Available for Clinical investigation of an outbreak of alveolitis and asthma in a car engine manufacturing plant Robertson W, Robertson A, Burge CB, Moore V, Jaakkola MS, Dawkins PA, Burd M, Rawbone R, Gardner I, Kinoulty M, Crook B, Evans GS, Harris-Roberts J, Rice SB, Burge PS, Clinical investigation of an outbreak of alveolitis and asthma in a car engine manufacturing plant, Thorax, 2007;62:981-990,
Sherwood Burge, Oasys, an author of 'Clinical investigation of an outbreak of alveolitis and asthma in a car engine manufacturing plant' Vicky Moore, Oasys, an author of 'Clinical investigation of an outbreak of alveolitis and asthma in a car engine manufacturing plant' Cedd Burge, Oasys, an author of 'Clinical investigation of an outbreak of alveolitis and asthma in a car engine manufacturing plant' Alastair Robertson, Selly Oak Hospital, an author of 'Clinical investigation of an outbreak of alveolitis and asthma in a car engine manufacturing plant' Arun Dev Vellore, Oasys, an author of 'Clinical investigation of an outbreak of alveolitis and asthma in a car engine manufacturing plant' Roger Rawbone, Retired - ex Health and Safety Executive, an author of 'Clinical investigation of an outbreak of alveolitis and asthma in a car engine manufacturing plant' Maritta Jaakkola, Oulu University Finland, an author of 'Clinical investigation of an outbreak of alveolitis and asthma in a car engine manufacturing plant' Wendy Robertson, Public Health, Warwick University, an author of 'Clinical investigation of an outbreak of alveolitis and asthma in a car engine manufacturing plant' Paul Dawkins, University Hospital Birmingham, an author of 'Clinical investigation of an outbreak of alveolitis and asthma in a car engine manufacturing plant' Gareth Evans, HSL, Buxton, an author of 'Clinical investigation of an outbreak of alveolitis and asthma in a car engine manufacturing plant'

Abstract Available for Specific bronchial challenge testing to metal working fluid Vellore AD, Moore VC, Robertson AS, Robertson W, Jaakkola MS, Burge PS, Specific bronchial challenge testing to metal working fluid, Eur Respir J Suppl, 2006;28:245s,
Sherwood Burge, Oasys, an author of 'Specific bronchial challenge testing to metal working fluid' Vicky Moore, Oasys, an author of 'Specific bronchial challenge testing to metal working fluid' Alastair Robertson, Selly Oak Hospital, an author of 'Specific bronchial challenge testing to metal working fluid' Arun Dev Vellore, Oasys, an author of 'Specific bronchial challenge testing to metal working fluid' Maritta Jaakkola, Oulu University Finland, an author of 'Specific bronchial challenge testing to metal working fluid' Wendy Robertson, Public Health, Warwick University, an author of 'Specific bronchial challenge testing to metal working fluid'

Full Text Available for Occupational neutrophilic asthma Leigh R, Hargreave FE, Occupational neutrophilic asthma, Can Respir J, 1999;6:194-196,
Freddy Hargreave, McMaster University, Hamilton, an author of 'Occupational neutrophilic asthma'

Abstract Available for The spectrum of respiratory disease associated with exposure to metal working fluids Zacharisen MC, Kadambi AR, Schlueter DP, Kurup VP, Shack JB, Fox JL, Anderson HA, Fink JN, The spectrum of respiratory disease associated with exposure to metal working fluids, J Occup Environ Med, 1998;40:640-647,

Links for Metal Working Fluid

HSE (UK) advice on working safely with Metal Working Fluid
Advice from the HSE on how to work safely with Metalworking Fluids (MWFs) sometimes referred to as suds, coolants, slurry or soap.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/metalworking/index.htm

NIOSH Safety and Health Topic: Metal Working Fluids
Information and resources on metal working fluid from the US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/metalworking/

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