National Research and Safety Institute (INRS), Vandoeuvre Cedex, France.
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Route de la Corniche 2, 1066, Epalinges-Lausanne, Switzerland.
Sci Rep. 2024 Aug 13;14(1):18814. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-69677-w.
Exposure assessments to metalworking fluids (MWF) is difficult considering the complex nature of MWF. This study describes a comprehensive exposure assessment to straight and water-based MWFs among workers from 20 workshops. Metal and organic carbon (OC) content in new and used MWF were determined. Full-shift air samples of inhalable particulate and gaseous fraction were collected and analysed gravimetrically and for metals, OC, and aldehydes. Exposure determinants were ascertained through observations and interviews with workers. Determinants associated with personal inhalable particulate and gaseous fractions were systematically identified using mixed models. Similar inhalable particle exposure was observed for straight and water-based MWFs (64-386 µg/m). The gaseous fraction was the most important contributor to the total mass fraction for both straight (322-2362 µg/m) and water-based MWFs (101-699 µg/m). The aerosolized particles exhibited low metal content irrespective of the MWF type; however, notable concentrations were observed in the sumps potentially reaching hazardous concentrations. Job activity clusters were important determinants for both exposure to particulate and gaseous fractions from straight MWF. Current machine enclosures remain an efficient determinant to reduce particulate MWF but were inefficient for the gaseous fraction. Properly managed water-based MWF meaning no recycling and no contamination from hydraulic fluids minimizes gaseous exposure. Workshop temperature also influenced the mass fractions. These findings suggest that exposures may be improved with control measures that reduce the gaseous fraction and proper management of MWF.
考虑到金属加工液（MWF）的复杂性质，对其进行暴露评估是困难的。本研究描述了对 20 个车间工人的直式和水基 MWF 进行的综合暴露评估。测定了新的和使用的 MWF 中的金属和有机碳（OC）含量。采集并分析了全班呼吸性颗粒物和气态部分的空气样品，进行了重量分析以及金属、OC 和醛的分析。通过对工人的观察和访谈确定了暴露决定因素。使用混合模型系统地确定了与个人可吸入颗粒物和气态部分相关的决定因素。直式和水基 MWF 之间观察到相似的可吸入颗粒物暴露（64-386μg/m）。气态部分是直式（322-2362μg/m）和水基 MWF（101-699μg/m）总质量分数的最重要贡献者。气溶胶化颗粒的金属含量不论 MWF 类型如何都较低；然而，在集油池中观察到了显著的浓度，可能达到了危险浓度。作业活动群集是直式 MWF 颗粒物和气态部分暴露的重要决定因素。当前的机床外壳仍然是减少颗粒物 MWF 的有效决定因素，但对气态部分效率不高。适当管理的水基 MWF（即不回收和不与液压油混合）可最大程度地减少气态暴露。车间温度也会影响质量分数。这些发现表明，可以通过减少气态部分和适当管理 MWF 的控制措施来改善暴露情况。
