Cutting-fluid dermatitis

Machinists Castrol oil One BC and one afterwork emollient They did not appear any significant effect against cutting fluid dermatitis Goh and Gan [37]... 

Goh CL, Gan SL (1994) Efficacies of a barrier cream and an afterwork emollient cream against cutting fluid dermatitis in 59. metalworkers a prospective study. Contact Dermatitis 31 176-... 

The presence of bacteria, apart from causing a nasty smell, will lead to a breakdown of an emulsion, leading to a technically unacceptable oil and a poorly machined end product. Although bacterial contamination can be minimised in a variety of ways (see the section entitled Prevention of Cutting Fluid Dermatitis), one way that always is required is the addition of germicidal agents known as biocides. Unfortunately, it is these agents which tend to cause skin sensitisation. 

The most common pattern of cutting-fluid dermatitis is that of a patchy eczema involving the backs of the hands, the forearms, the backs and sides of fingers and web spaces. The appearance may be confused with constitutional discoid eczema, particularly in middle-aged men. Although patchy patterns are most common, other patterns of eczema may also be found, including fine follicular eczema, continuous confluent areas and dry, scaly finger webs. 

Only a few epidemiological studies of the prevalence of cutting-fluid dermatitis have been published. In Singapore, 6.6% of 751 workers in 21 small-scale factories had a skin disorder of their hands and forearms (Coenraads et al. 1985). 

Many patients with cutting-fluid dermatitis appear to have chronic problems. In the UK, 30 of 174 patients with dermatitis had it for 5 years before referral to a contact clinic (Grattan et al. 1989). 

An investigative approach to a case of cutting-fluid dermatitis involves, firstly, the establishment of the... 

Wahlberg JE. 1993. Measurement of skin-fold thickness in the guinea pig. Assessment of edema-inducing capacity of cutting fluids, acids, alkalis, formalin and dimethyl sulfoxide. Contact Dermatitis 28 141-145. 

Opdyke DLJ (1976) Inhibition of sensitization reactions induced by certain aldehydes. Fd Cosmet Toxicol 14 197-198 Panconesi E, Sertoli A, Spallanzani P, Giorgini S (1980) Balsam of Peru sensitivity from a perfumed cutting fluid in a laser factory. Contact Dermatitis 6 297-298 Parodi G, Guerrera M, Rebora A (1987) Lichenoid photocontact dermatitis to musk ambrette. Contact Dermatitis 16 136-138... 

Einarsson O, Kylin B, Lindstedt G, et al. (1975) Chromium and cobalt in nickel in using cutting fluids. Contact Dermatitis 1 182-183... 

The problems potentially caused by cutting fluids are listed in Table 5. With solvent refining of oils, acne and folliculitis is now seen rarely. Primary irritant and allergic contact dermatitis are the most frequently encountered clinical problems. 

It can be seen from Table 6 that when 174 patients (157 male, 17 female) with cutting-oil dermatitis were investigated (Grattan et al. 1989), many positives were found on the standard series that were relevant. Metals such as nickel, chromate and cobalt are liberated into the cutting fluids from the metal being machined. Although levels found are lower than one would normally expect for sensitisation to occur, the fact that 9.6% of males in the series were nickel... 

Most workers are exposed to several metalworking fluids that may have undergone replacement since the onset of dermatitis. The names, batch numbers and manufacturers addresses must be obtained and enquiry made as to whether any other additives are added when the cutting fluid is in use. Other relevant factors to consider include machine-cleaning chemicals, protective metal coatings (Calnan 1978), solvents for removing oil from finished pieces, barrier creams, skin cleansers, protective equipment and domestic contact factors. 

When large numbers of people work with cutting fluids, it is impossible to prevent all cases of dermatitis, as skin contact cannot be avoided. However, more serious severe outbreaks of dermatitis are preventable. Three aspects need to be considered the machinist, the machine and the oil itself. 

Pre-employment screening of individuals should try to exclude those that have a personal history of longstanding atopic dermatitis, particularly if this has affected the hands. Those individuals with a previous history of hand dermatitis from other irritant causes are also at increased risk of recurrence. If they are allowed to work in a cutting-fluid environment, then every effort needs to be made to enable them to maintain meticulous hand care. 

Machinery should be built in such a way as to minimise the exposure of workers to the cutting fluids. Manual feeding of workpieces, oil contact when machines are shut off and hands are placed into the machines, and the need to hold workpieces under the flow of oil when it is being machined are machine-design problems which will increase the risk of development of dermatitis. Increasing automation with computer-controlled machines which are enclosed to prevent oil contact will reduce the incidence of dermatitis. 

Adams RM (1981) P-chloro-m-xylenol in cutting fluids two cases of allergic contact dermatitis in machinists. Contact Dermatitis 7 341-343... 

Meding B (1996) Occupational contact dermatitis from tertiary butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) in a cutting fluid. Contact Dermatitis 34 224... 

Niklasson B, Bjorkner B, Sunberg K (1993) Contact allergy to a fatty acid ester component of cutting fluids. Contact Dermatitis 28 265-267... 

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