Exposure to Metalworking Fluid Aerosols and Determinants of Exposure

L. Lillienberg1,*, A. Burdorf2, L. Mathiasson3 and L. Thörneby3

1 Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden2 Department of Public Health, Erasmus University MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands3 Department of Analytical Chemistry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

Metalworking fluid (MWF) aerosols are associated with respiratory disorders including asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The aims of this study were to describe exposure to inhalable MWF aerosols and volatile compounds in machine shops, to estimate the influence of important determinants of exposure and to compare different sampling techniques for MWF aerosols. Personal full-shift air samples of inhalable aerosol (PAS-6 sampler) and total aerosol (open-faced sampler) were collected on operators in five medium to big-sized machine shops in three companies. The filters were analysed gravimetrically and extracted by supercritical fluid extraction for MWF aerosol and triethanolamine content.

The rest of this abstract is here.

My notes: One of the most common symptoms of Wegener's Granulomatosis is lung involvement. And, many WG patients are diagnosed with asthma and other respiratory disorders before the lungs begin to fail. This study says that MWF aerosols and volatile compounds in machine shops can cause adverse respiratory problems in workers.

In my opinion, these compounds need to be studied for a possible trigger for WG.