| Manufacturing environments that use oil-based | | | | symptoms of exposure to high concentrations of |
| cutting fluids often put workers health at risk. | | | | oil mist include eye and skin irritation, shortness of |
| Applications such as CNC machines, screw | | | | breath, vomiting, fever, rapid heartbeat and a |
| machines and surface and centerless grinders | | | | burning sensation in the mouth, throat and |
| produce an oil mist from the coolant used to keep | | | | stomach. |
| cutting tools from overheating. Oil mist, also | | | | Industrial workers are exposed to oil mist by |
| known as cutting oil or metalworking fluid, is an | | | | three avenues; skin exposure, aerial exposure and |
| oily liquid aerosol dispersed in the air. Fine oil mist | | | | ingestion. The most frequent route of exposure is |
| hangs in the air for long periods, similar to tobacco | | | | the skin. Occupational health experts believe that |
| smoke. | | | | over three-quarters of all occupational diseases |
| It has been estimated that up to one million | | | | are caused by skin contact with oil mist. Oil mist |
| workers in the United States are exposed to oil | | | | by itself can be dangerous, but it can also quickly |
| mist. The health effects of exposure to oil mist | | | | become contaminated with foreign material and |
| have been studied for several decades. Many | | | | chemicals which are aerosolized into mist. Many of |
| Epidemiological studies have indicated that | | | | these contaminants add to the hazards associated |
| long-term exposure to oil mist can lead to | | | | with oil mist. |
| increased susceptibility to several types of cancer. | | | | In today's highly competitive global economy, |
| The following diseases have been associated with | | | | manufacturers feel pressured to increase |
| exposure to oil mist: skin - oil acne, contact | | | | productivity. Making machines work harder and |
| dermatitis, and photosensitive allergic dermatitis; | | | | faster often produces even more oil mist in the |
| respiratory system - rhinitis, bronchitis, bronchial | | | | workplace. Even though production schedules may |
| asthma, lipoid pneumonia, lung fibrosis and lung | | | | increase, profitability may suffer due to |
| cancer; scrotum - benign and malignant tumors. | | | | work-related illnesses. Sick employees don't help |
| According to the National Institute for | | | | the bottom line, they lower productivity and |
| Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), potential | | | | increase overhead costs. |