Dermal exposure to electroplating fluids and metalworking fluids in the UK

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Industrial Hygiene
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Workplace dermal exposure to chemicals is a significant occupational health concern.
• Metalworking fluids (MWFs) and electroplating chemicals pose risks to workers' skin.
• Quantifying dermal exposure is crucial for risk assessment and control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure and quantify workplace dermal exposure to metalworking fluids and electroplating chemicals.
• To assess the effectiveness of personal protective equipment in reducing exposure.
• To identify potential sources and pathways of dermal contamination.

Main Methods:

• Dermal exposure was measured using whole-body oversuits and sampling gloves worn by workers.
• Metalworking fluid exposure was assessed by analyzing MWF on Tyvek oversuits and gloves.
• Electroplating chemical exposure was measured using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry on oversuits and gloves.

Main Results:

• Geometric mean surface loading rates for MWFs were 62 µg/cm²/h on oversuits and 2900 µg/cm²/h on gloves.
• Geometric mean surface loading rates for electroplating chemicals were 37 µg/cm²/h on oversuits and 190 µg/cm²/h on gloves.
• Most electroplating samples were below quantification limits, but cross-contamination was observed.

Conclusions:

• Sampling gloves indicated higher contamination levels than whole-body suits for both MWFs and electroplating chemicals.
• Dermal exposure to MWFs and electroplating chemicals can occur despite the use of protective clothing.
• Further investigation into effective dermal exposure controls is warranted.