Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HHE Report No. 2013-0075-3264: Investigation of Dermal and Respiratory Exposures to Metalworking Fluids at an Automotive Parts Manufacturer

Details

• Personal Author:
  Harney, Joshua M. ; Tapp, Loren C.
• Corporate Authors:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Description:
  The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from a manager at an automotive engine water pump manufacturer. The manufacturer produced diesel engine water pumps by machining cast iron with a soluble oil metalworking fluid. The manager submitted the request because employees had respiratory problems, dermatitis, and gastrointestinal problems they felt may be related to metalworking fluid exposure. During our visits, we asked employees about their medical and work histories, examined employees' rashes, and reviewed employee medical records. We also asked them to fill out a questionnaire about work exposures and symptoms. We took air samples for metalworking fluid mist, formaldehyde, and endotoxin. Investigators found that current and former machine operators reported respiratory and skin symptoms consistent with work-related exposure to metalworking fluid, both before and after ventilation improvements were made at this plant. Most machine operators were exposed to formaldehyde above the NIOSH limit. No employees were overexposed to metalworking fluid mist after the company improved ventilation and added splash shields to the compressed air guns. Machine operators had brief, high exposures to metalworking fluid mist when they blew parts off with compressed air. The endotoxin concentrations in bulk metalworking fluid were generally lower than those reported in the scientific literature for other facilities using similar types of metalworking fluid. We recommended the company continue improving metalworking fluid management practices, and train employees about the health hazards of metalworking fluid and ways to reduce or prevent exposure.
• Subjects:
  Automobiles Dermatitis Digestive System Digestive System Diseases Endotoxins Environmental Exposure Environmental Monitoring Formaldehyde Manufacturing And Industrial Facilities Metals Metal Workers Occupational Health Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety Skin Staff Development Surveys And Questionnaires Vehicle Emissions

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• Keywords:
  Air Sampling Automotive Engines Automotive Industry Cast Iron Cast Iron Alloys Dermal Exposures Diesel Engines Endotoxin Exposure Assessment Exposure Levels Exposure Limits Fluids Gastrointestinal System Disorders Health Surveys Indiana Iron Compounds Machine Operators Manufacturing Medical Records Metalworking Metalworking Fluid Metalworking Fluids Metalworking Industry Monitoring Systems Motor Vehicle Parts MWF MWFs Oil Mists Oils OSHA Region 5 Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing Protective Measures Questionnaires Respiratory Respiratory System Disorders Safety Practices Sampling Skin Exposure Skin Irritants Training Triazine Triazines Video Exposure Monitoring Work Practices

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• Series:
  Health Hazard Evaluation Reports (HHE)
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHHHE201300753264
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Field Study
• Place as Subject:
  Indiana ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSHEFS - Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  54 pdf pages
• Contributor:
  Booher, Donald E. ; Felix, Alia El Burai ; Galloway, Ellen ; Gong, Wei ; Moore, Kevin ; Oza, Aalok, Watts, Shawna
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20049188
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB2017-101408
• Citation:
  NIOSH [2016]. Investigation of dermal and respiratory exposures to metalworking fluids at an automotive parts manufacturer. By Harney JM, Tapp L. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Report 2013-0075-3264,
• CAS Registry Number:
  Triazine (CAS RN 12654-97-6) ; Formaldehyde (CAS RN 50-00-0) ; Iron (CAS RN 7439-89-6)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2017
• NORA Priority Area:
  Services
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  333618 - Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing - (NAICS)
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:1ca7755ea0bc77c6425b2962a9a93d89e0eba0ef7710bada2b19c6aa597fd0e8fde8412c1b11c7f668b23ce31199e03f2590645cc04b11bc6fb23d7dc503e8c1
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/172400/cdc_172400_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.04 MB ]