Metalworking fluid bioaerosols at selected workplaces in a steelworks.
BACKGROUND
Exposure to metalworking fluid (MWF) aerosols has been shown to be associated with a variety of respiratory and skin diseases of workers.


METHODS
Measurements of particulate aerosols, bacterial bioaerosol, and endotoxins and 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OH FAs) content in water-based and straight oil MWFs were done during an 8 hr work shift in the grindery and oil basement sections of a steelworks located in Upper Silesia, Poland.


RESULTS
Particulate aerosol concentrations were below NIOSH recommended occupational exposure level. Differences in concentration and taxonomical composition of airborne bacteria between grindery and oil basement were found, due to the more aggressive creation of oil mist during machining operations and different MWF characteristics, which favor growth of different bacterial strains.


CONCLUSIONS
The GC-MS analysis of 3-OH FAs as a marker of endotoxin contamination of the MWF and of the air seems to be a promising tool for evaluation of occupational exposure to bacterial bioaerosols.
Górny
Rafał L
RL
Department of Biohazards, Institute of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, Sosnowiec, Poland. r.gorny@imp.sosnowiec.pl
Szponar
Bogumiła
B
Larsson
Lennart
L
Pehrson
Christina
C
Prazmo
Zofia
Z
Dutkiewicz
Jacek
J
D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000032:analysis; D008669:Metallurgy; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011044:Poland
D000336:Aerosols; D004731:Endotoxins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides