Home / Blog / Health Risks Associated With Metalworking Fluids

There are numerous health risks that employees can be exposed to on the job, but one of the most recently discovered dangers comes from metalworking fluids.

These substances are used for many purposes, but some of the most common include cutting, lubricating, or protecting metal tools and parts. The metalworking fluid health risks come from toxins in the products that can be absorbed into the body when inhaled or touched. Inhalation of these products can result in several serious conditions, including:

  • Sinonasal cancer
  • Nasopharyngeal cancer
  • Myeloid leukemia
  • Pulmonary edema
  • Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
  • Occupational asthma

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that employees who work in the vicinity of aerosols to limit their exposure to no more than .5 milligrams per cubic meter of air for no longer than 10-hours a day during a 40-hour work week. These recommendations come despite workers suffering serious health conditions as a result of exposure to lower levels of these toxins. The CDC also recommends workers wear protective layers, such as gloves, aprons, masks, and eye protection when working with these chemicals.

Many workers are left asking what they should do if they have already been harmed by exposure to metalworking fluids. The Birmingham personal injury lawyers with Norris Injury Lawyers would urge these individuals to speak with a reputable attorney as soon as possible to discuss their legal rights.