IRSST - Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail

Monitoring the exposure of machinists to carcinogenic compounds from the use of cooling liquids

Abstract

Cutting oils containing nitrosamines or generating nitrosamines during use are still used in some workplaces, despite American and Canadian regulations aiming at protecting workers against them; in fact approximately 25,000 metal workers regularly use such fluids. It is therefore important to develop measures to prevent absorption of these products. Analytical methods for nitrosamines were therefore refined or developed de novo, and are available upon request. Environmental and biological monitoring of nitrosamines used in cooling fluids was conducted in several factories. Nitrosamines were only detected in a few of the samples, and where present, were found in concentrations well below current exposure limits.

Additional Information

Type: Project
Number: 0092-0470
Status: Completed
Year of completion: 1996
Team:
  • Sam Cooper (Institut national de la recherche scientifique-Santé)
  • Guy Perrault (IRSST)