Health Problems in Metal Workers Exposed to a Coolant Oil Containing Kathon 886 MW

Abstract

This report presents the results of an assessment of 27 workers who were exposed to metal-working fluids in a plant that manufactured engine parts and who experienced cutaneous problems. Fifty-two percent of the workers had irritant contact dermatitis and the remaining 48% had allergic contact dermatitis. Forty-one percent had a positive patch test response to Kathon at either 25 ppm or 50 ppm. Positive patch test responses to formaldehyde, Grotan BK, rosin, potassium dichromate, and thiuram was also found. The overall plant population was approximately 150 workers, so at least 18% of the plant population had contact dermatitis and 7% was sensitive to Kathon. The hands and arms were most commonly involved but grinders also had facial involvement which the other metal workers did not have. Symptoms and lung function were also assessed. A group of assembly workers who had not been exposed to significant respiratory hazards were used as a comparison group. The workers exposed to metal-working fluids related nasal, eye, and throat irritation to workplace exposures more frequently than the assembly workers. Grinders tended to have more eye irritation than the other metal workers. The metal workers had lower air flow rates at low lung volumes compared with the assembly workers. Grinders had significantly lower values than the other metal workers. This assessment demonstrates the problem of contact dermatitis in metal-working fluid exposed workers and the importance of Kathon as a cause of allergic contact dermatitis when it is used as a biocide in such fluids. It also suggests that adverse pulmonary effects may result from such exposures. In particular, workers involved in grinding operations may be at increased risk.