# Occupational Health Guideline for Mineral Oil Mist

INTRODUCTION This guideline is intended as a sourceofinformation for employees, employers, physicians, industrial hygienists, and other occupational health professionals who may have a need for suchinformation. Itdoes not a<tempt 

### to present all data; rather, itpresentspertinent information anddatain summaryform. 

### SUBSTANCE IDENTIFICATION

• Formula: C.H,.,wheren = 16 andup • Synonyms: The mist ofpetroleum-based: white mineral oil; cutting oils; heat-treating oils; hydraulic oils; cable oil; transformer oil; lubricating oils; drawing oils • Appearance and odor: Mist with an odor like burned lube oil generated from petroleum-base or white mineralpetroleumoil. 

### PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMIT (PEL) The current OSHA standard for mineral oil mist is 

### 5 milligrams of mineral oil mist per cubic meter of 

### air (mglm')averagedoveraneight-hourwork shift. 

### HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION

• Routes ofexposure Mineral oil mist can affect the body if it is inhaled. 

### • Effects ofovere:I)IOSure Inhalation ofmineral oil mist may cause adverse respiratoryeffects. • Reporting signs and symptoms A physician shouldbecontacted ifanyonedevelops any signs orsymptoms and suspects that they are caused by exposureto mineral oil mist. • Recommended medieal surveillance The following medical procedures should be made available to each employee who is exposed 

### to mineral oil mist atpotentiallyhazardouslevels: 

### 1. Initial Medical Screening: Employees should be screened for history of certain medical conditions (listed below) which might place the employee 

### a1 increasedrisk frommineral oil mistexposure. -Chronic respiratory disease: In persons with 

### impaired pulmonary function, especially those with obstructive airway diseases, the breathing of mineral oil mist might cause exacerbation of symptoms due to its irritantproperties. -Skin disease: Prolonged exposure 

### to mineral oil mist may cause a dermatitis. Persons with pre-existing skin disorders may be more susceptible 

### to the effi'Ctl of this agent. 

### 2. Periodic Medical EZilminatilln: Any employee developing theabove-listed conditions should bereferred f<K further medicalexamination. • SII1IIJIUII"Y oftn:deology Inhalation of mineral oil mist in high concentratio111 may cause pulmonary effects, although 

### this 

### has rarely been reported. A single case of lipoid pneumonitis suspected to havebeen caused byexposureto veryhigh concentrations of oil mist was reported in 1950; thia occurred in a cash register 

### serviceman, whose heavy exposure occurred over 17 years of employment; no other 

### cases have been recorded. Experimental animal exposure studies to white mineral oil mist (Wltreated, and with no additions) for repeated daily IH!our exposures for 

### 1yearat 

### 5 mg!m• wereentirelynegative in all criteria used for measuring response. A similsr study at 100 mg!m• resulted in some slight changes in some but notall species exposed; no histologic changes ofsignificance were noted. Exposure 

### to oil mist did not appear 

### to accelerate the production oflung tumors in a lungtumor-susceptible strain of mice. A second parallel study of sulfurized, solvent-extracted naphthenic-bue oil to which animals were exposed daily at 50 mg!m.• for 18 months failed to reveal a single animal with aay sort ofinjury or indisposition as a result ofthe oil 

### mist inhalation. A review of exposures to mineral oil 

### mist averaging 15 mglm0 (but often higher) in several industries disclosed a striking lack ofreported cases 

### of illness related 

### to these exposures. A study of oil mist

These recommendations reflect good industrial hygiene and medical surveillance practices and their implementation will assist in achieving an effective occupational health program. However, they may not be sufficient to achieve compliance with all requirements of OSHA regulations.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service Centers lor Disease Control National Institute lor Occupational Safety and Health
September 1871 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Occupational Safety and Health Administration

1exposures in machine shops, at mean concentrations of 3.7 mglm3 and maximum of 110 mglm3
, showed no increase in respiratory symptomsor decrement in respiratory performance attributable to oil mist inhalation among men employed for many years. There is no evidence to suggest any relation between in- halation of oil mist and lung cancer. On the other hand, there are some reported cases of skin cancer from contact with certainoils. Contact with liquid oils may causedermatitis. 

### CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

• Physicaldata I. Molecularweight: Notpertinent 2. Boilingpoint (760mmHg): 360C (680F) 3. Specificgravity(water = 1):0.8- 0.9 4. Vapor density (air = I at boiling point ofmineral oil mist): Notapplicable 5. Meltingpoint:Verylow 6. Vaporpressure at20 C (68 F): Verylow 7. Solubility in water, g/100 g water at 20 C (68 F): Insoluble 8. Evaporation rate (butyl acetate 

## = I): Not applicable • Reacti"rity I. Conditionscontributingtoinstability: None 

### 2. Incompatibilities: None 3. Hazardousdecompositionproducts: None 4. Specialprecautions: None • Flammability I. Flashpoint: 135 C (275 F)(closedcup) 2. Autoignition temperature: 260- 371 C (500- 700 F) 3. Flammable limits in air, % by volume: Not applicable 4. Extinguishant: Dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide • Warnmgproperties Mineral oil mist is not known to be an eye irritant. 

### MONITORING AND MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES

• General Measurementstodetermineemployeeexposureare best taken so that the average eight-hour exposure is based on a single eight-hour sample or on two four-hour samples. Several short-time interval samples (up to 30 minutes) may also be used to determine the average exposure level. Air samples should be taken in the employee's breathing zone (air that would most nearly represent thatinhaledbytheemployee). • Method Sampling and analyses may be performed by collection of mineral oil mist on a ftlter, followed by treatment with chloroform and analysis by fluorescence spectrophotometry. An analytical method for mineral oil mist is in theNIOSHManualof Allalytica/Methods. 2nd Ed

..

2 Mineral 011 Mist Vol. 4, 1978, available from the Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 (GPO No. 017-033- 00317-3).


### RESPIRATORS

• Good industrial hygiene practices recommend that engineering controls be used to reduce environmental concentrations to the permissible exposure level. However, there are some exceptions where respirators may be used to control exposure. Respirators may be used when engineering and work practice controls are not technically feasible, when such controls are in the processofbeing installed, orwhen they fail and need to be supplemented. Respirators may also be used for operations which require entry into tanks or closed vessels, and in emergency situations. If the use of respirators is necessary, the only respirators permitted are those that have been approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (formerly Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration) or by the National InstituteforOccupationalSafetyandHealth.
• In addition torespiratorselection, a completerespiratory protection program should be instituted which includes regular training, maintenance, inspection, cleaning,andevaluation. 

### PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

• Employees should be provided with and required to use imperviousclothing, gloves, face shields (eight-inch minimum), and other appropriate protective clothing necessarytopreventrepeatedorprolongedskin contact with liquid mineral oil. • Non-impervious clothing which becomes wet with liquid mineral oil should be removed promptly and not rewom until the mineral oil mist is removed from the clothing. 

### SANITATION

• Skin that becomes wet with liquid mineral oil should be promptly washed or showered with soap or mild detergent and water to remove any mineral oil mist. 

### COMMON OPERATIONS AND CONTROLS The following list includes some common operations in which exposure to mineral oil mist may occur and control methods which may be effective in each case:

September 1178

### Operation Use as a coolant or quenching agent in machine shop operations and metal fabrication; during coating and cleaning in foundry operations Use in steel rolling operations; use in lubricating and cleaning of machinery Use in pressroom operations in printing

Use in mine drilling operations

Use as an insecticide 

### Controls Process enclosure; local exhaust ventilation; general mechanical ventilation

Procass enclosure; local exhaust ventilation; general mechanical ventilation Mist suppression; local exhaustventilation; general mechanical ventilation Process enclosure; local exhaust ventilation; general mechanical ventilation General dilution ventilation 

### EMERGENCY FIRST AID PROCEDURES In the event ofan emergency, institute first aid procedures and send for first aid or medical assistance. • SkinExposure 

### If skin becomes wet with mineral oil mist, wash the contaminated skin using soap or mild detergent and water. Ifmineral oil mist penetrates through the clothing, remove the clothing and wash the skin 

### using soap ormild detergentandwater. • Breathin11 

### Ifa personbreathesin large amountsofmineral oilmist, movetheexposed persontofresh air

### at once. 

### SPILL, LEAK, AND DISPOSAL PROCEDURES

• Persons not wearing protective equipment and clothing should be restricted from areas ofspills or releases until cleanuphas

### beencompleted. • Ifmineral oil mist is released in hazardousconcentrations, ventilate area of release to disperse the mist. • If mineral oil mist is spilled or leaked, the following steps shouldbetaken: I. 

### Ventilate areaofspill orleak. 2. Forsmall quantities, absorb onpaper towels. Evaporate in a safe place (such as a fume hood). Allow sufficient time for evaporating vapors to completely

September 1871 

### clear the hood ductwork. Bum the paper in a suitable location away from combustible materials. Large quantities can be collected and atomized in a suitable combustion chamber. • Waste disposal methods: Mineral oil mist maybedisposed of: I. 

### By absorbing it in vermiculite, dry sand, earth 

### or a similar material and disposing in a secured sanitary landfill. 2. By atomizing in a suitable combustion chamber. 

### REFERENCES

• American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists: "Oil Mist (Mineral)," Documentation ofthe Threshold Limit Valuesfor Substances in Workroom Air 

### (3rded., 2ndprinting), Cincinnati, 1974. • Deichmann, W. B., and Gerarde, H. W.: Toxicology of Drugs and Chemicals, 

### Academic Press, New York, 1969. • Ely, 

### T. S., et al.: "A Study ofMortality, Symptoms, and Respiratory Function in Humans Occupationally Exposed to Oil Mist,"Journalof OccupationalMedicine, 

### 12:253-261, 1970. • Goldstein, D. 

### H., et al.: "An 

### Epidemiologic Study of an Oil Mist Exposure," Archives of Environmental Health. 

### 21:600-603, 1970. • Grant, W. M.: Toxicology ofthe Eye 

### (2nd ed.), C. C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois, 1974. • Hendricks, N. V., et al.: "A Review ofExposures to Oil Mist," Archives of Environmental Health. 

### 4:139-145, 1962. • Lippmann, M., and Goldstein, D. 

### H.: "Oil-Mist Studies, Environmental Evaluation and Control,"Archivesof EnvironmentalHealth. 

### 21:591-599, 1970. • Proudfit, 

### J. P., et al.: "Chronic Lipid Pneumonia Following Occupational Exposure,"A.M.A. Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Medicine, I: 105- 

### 111,1950. • Stauden, A. (exec. ed.): Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology 

### (2nd ed.), lnterscience, NewYork, 1972.

Mineral 

## on Mist 3

### RESPIRATORY PROTECTION FOR MINERAL OIL MIST
Condition

Particulate Concentration 25 mg/m• or less
50 mg/m• or less

250 mg/m• or less

2,500 mg/m• or less

Greater than 2,500 mg/111" or entry and escape from unknown concentrations

Fire Fighting 

### Minimum Respiratory Protection• Required Above 5 mg/111"

Any mist respirator, except single-use. Any mist respirator, except single-use or quarter-mask respirator. Any fume respirator or high efficiency particulate filter respirator. Any supplied-air respirator. Any self-contained breathing apparatus.
A high efficiency particulate filter respirator with a full facepiece. Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece, helmet, or

### hood. Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece. A Type C supplied-air respirator operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure or continuous-flow mode.
A powered air-purifying respirator with a high efficiency particulate filter. A Type C supplied-air respirator operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure or continuous-flow mode.
Self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressuredemand orother positive pressure mode.

A combination respirator which includes a Type C supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure or continuous-flow mode and an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in pressure-demand orother positive pressure mode.
Self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressuredemand or other positive pressure mode. *Only NIOSH-approved or MSHA-approved equipment should be used.

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