UV disinfection of soluble oil metalworking fluids

The efficacy of a new high-intensity germicidal ultraviolet (UV) lamp for disinfection of opaque metalworking fluids (MWF) was investigated under laboratory conditions. Three dilutions of "soluble oil" MWF and water controls in a circulating system were inoculated with suspensions of Pseudomonas fluorescens to an initial concentration of about 10(7) colony forming units (CFU) per milliliter and irradiated with a submerged nonglass UV lamp. Aliquots of the circulating fluid were withdrawn before irradiation and at 10-sec intervals in the water control and 10-min intervals in the MWF. The samples were diluted with sterile water, plated, and counted after 18-24 hours' incubation. The UV-C radiation output of the lamp was estimated by irradiance measurements using a research radiometer. The concentration of CFU decreased by at least 2 logs (>99% reduction in culturability) in 30 sec in irradiated water. In all three dilutions of MWF, a 2-log decrease was obtained within 60 min. The UV-C output of the lamp was estimated at about 6 W. The disinfection appeared to follow a first order rate law both in MWF and in water. The CFU concentration was stable over time in unirradiated controls. These results demonstrate that UV disinfection is feasible in MWF opaque to both visible and UV wavelengths of light.