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The irritancy of metalworking fluids: a laser Doppler flowmetry study
E M de Boer1, R J Scholten, W G van Ketel
1Department of Occupational Dermatology, Free University Academic Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Contact Dermatitis
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Metalworking fluids (MWF) generally cause mild skin irritation in metalworkers. However, repeated exposure to water-based MWF can lead to irritant contact dermatitis due to cumulative subclinical insults.
Area of Science:
- Occupational dermatology
- Toxicology
- Materials science
Background:
- Irritant contact dermatitis is prevalent among metalworkers due to occupational exposure to metalworking fluids (MWF).
- Understanding the specific irritancy potential of different MWF formulations is crucial for worker safety and health.
- Previous studies have indicated MWF as a significant factor in occupational skin conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the irritancy of commercially available water-based cutting fluids and neat oils used by metalworkers.
- To assess the contribution of specific MWF components to skin irritation.
- To compare the irritancy of MWF with water and identify formulations with higher irritation potential.
Main Methods:
- Human volunteer study involving 23 healthy individuals.
- Application of 3 water-based cutting fluids and 2 neat oils at maximal user concentrations.
- Repeated patch testing over 5 days, with evaluation using visual scoring (VS) and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF).
- Investigation of irritancy caused by individual MWF components.
Main Results:
- MWF generally induced only marginal skin irritation.
- Water-based cutting fluids showed higher irritancy than neat oils, though only one formulation was significantly more irritating than water.
- Individual MWF components demonstrated low irritancy, with one emulsifier showing mild irritation via LDF and one corrosion inhibitor being most irritant by VS.
- A strong adverse reaction to the fixing tape potentially affected the correlation between VS and LDF.
Conclusions:
- Metalworking fluids are typically mildly irritant when used correctly.
- Water-based MWF can play a significant role in the development of irritant contact dermatitis through repeated, subclinical skin insults.
- Extensive occupational exposure in metalworking environments necessitates careful consideration of MWF formulation and handling to prevent chronic skin issues.