Preventing Exposures to Microbial Contaminants in Metalworking Fluids in Puerto Rico
Zimmetry Environmental provides testing, consulting, and training services to identify and mitigate occupational hazards to safeguard workers, and help to keep companies in regulatory compliance.
Workers around MWFs can be exposed by breathing aerosols generated during the machining process, or through skin contact when they handle parts, tools, and equipment.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that millions of people are exposed to machining fluids on the job. This is due to the fact that metalworking fluids (MWFs) are used in a number of industries to reduce heat and friction, and to remove metal particles in industrial machining and grinding operations.
When MWFs are used, a primary concern is the presence of contaminants that encourage the growth of bacteria and fungi. One of the more commonly isolated types of bacteria from MWFs is Pseudomonas. Others include Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter, and more. Fungal contamination from Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, and other species is also a concern.
Regarding these potential exposure risks, OSHA offers the following warning:
While MWFs are used by many workers safely, problems can develop when good hygiene practices are not followed or when fluids are not properly managed or maintained. Major health concerns of improperly managed fluids or when good hygiene practices are not followed include skin irritation, allergic contact dermatitis, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, and, occasionally, breathing difficulties such as bronchitis and asthma. Although rare, some workers have contacted hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) from improperly managed fluids.
“Contaminants in some types of MWFs may include bacterial and fungal cells, or cell components and their related biological byproducts, such as endotoxins, exotoxins, and mycotoxins,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Workers around MWFs can be exposed by breathing aerosols generated during the machining process, or through skin contact when they handle parts, tools, and equipment.”
Assisting companies that utilize metalworking fluids to protect their workers and comply with health and safety regulations are the industrial hygiene professionals at Zimmetry Environmental. They offer proactive sampling of MWFs to identify contaminants, air sampling around workers to determine if inhalation risks are present, personal protective equipment training, and worksite assessments to evaluate engineering controls and other potential safety resources. Zimmetry has even sponsored an educational video about metalworking fluids and microbial exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/G8oKYBBwiow
To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health, safety, compliance, and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005, or email info@zimmetry.com .
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.
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Indoor Air Quality- Contact Information
- Paul Cochrane
- President
- Cochrane & Associates, LLC
- Contact via E-mail
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