Contact dermatitis from dielectric fluids in electrodischarge machining

We report an outbreak of irritant contact dermatitis in the aerospace industry from electrodischarge machining (EDM). 20 workers doing EDM developed irritant contact dermatitis from the dielectric fluid used in EDM, a form of precision metal machining that is widely used in mould making and precision engineering. Dielectric fluid contains hydrocarbons that are aromatic, paraffinic or naphthenic and are skin irritants. Irritant contact dermatitis from dielectric fluid has not been reported previously. EDM will become more widespread and occupational dermatitis from dielectric fluid is likely to become more prevalent in the future. Our experience was that irritant contact dermatitis from dielectric fluid can be prevented by simple preventive measures such as personal hygiene and health education.