Metalworking fluids

Abstract

Metalworking fluids (MWF) are complex mixtures potentially containing various irritants and allergens. Occupational contact dermatitis is common in metal workers exposed to MWF. Important MWF allergens are monoethanolamine, oxidations products of resin acids, formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers and so on. Contact allergy due to MWF may be under-diagnosed because many allergens are not commercially available for patch testing, in spite of recent improvements of allergy diagnostics in this field. Therefore, patch testing with MWF from the patients' workplace is crucial. In this chapter, MWF allergens are presented in detail, a MWF patch test series is recommended, rare MWF allergens are described and a guideline for patch testing with MWF from the workplace is given. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.