Workers engaged in cutting operations have many chances of prolonged contact with cutting fluid on hands, wrists, etc. during operation, and sometimes dermatitis occurs. This is a tricky question. According to statistics, about 1/4 of people exposed to oil-based cutting fluids suffer from occupational dermatitis, folliculitis, acne (pimples and pustules caused by inflammation of the pores), pigmentation, keratoderma, and abscesses to varying degrees. From the phenomenon point of view, the symptoms caused by oil-based cutting fluid and water-based cutting are different.
1. Problems and incentives Dermatitis caused by water-based cutting fluids generally causes the skin to degrease, crack, and cause redness, swelling, and purulence. Its symptoms are similar to the rough hands of housewives who often use detergent. The main reasons are: 1) Degreasing effect of surfactants (resulting in reduced sebum secretion, insufficient sebum film formation, and dry and thick skin). 2) Alkaline damage caused by alkaline substances such as organic amines and inorganic bases. 3) Irritant damage caused by fungicides, preservatives, antifungal agents, etc. The surface of human skin is weakly acidic, but water-based cutting fluids are mostly alkaline with a pH of 8 to 10, and often contain surfactants. When contacted with such a liquid for a long time, the skin becomes dry due to the neutralization and washing of the protective sebum. When the pH value of the water-based cutting fluid is above 10.5, the irritation is enhanced, and it may cause redness, swelling and festering. From the viewpoint of preventing skin irritation, the pH value of the water-based cutting fluid is desired to be below 9, but when the pH value drops below 8, the anti-rust performance is low, and it is easy to spoil. Generally, it is advisable to keep the PH value of the working fluid around 9. A high concentration of water-based cutting fluid working fluid will also increase the chance of causing skin damage. 2. Preventive measures In order to prevent the skin damage caused by the water-based cutting fluid, we must first pay attention to the quality of the cutting fluid. The value is around 9. The working fluid should be prepared according to the concentration recommended by the cutting fluid manufacturer, and strict concentration management of the working fluid should be carried out. Dermatitis caused by antiseptic and bactericide additives has both acute and chronic attacks, and it is generally difficult to cure. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly manage the use and addition process of the above-mentioned drugs. Due to the restrictions of environmental protection and pollution prevention regulations (sewage discharge regulations), as well as the use of closed systems in automated processing, in order to prevent the corruption of the working fluid and prolong the life of the working fluid, most developed countries have adopted measures since the 1980s. Measures to regularly add antiseptic bactericides to the working fluid. In the past 20 years, this method has been popularized and achieved results with large users such as automobile manufacturers and bearing manufacturers as the center. In this case, the rot state (odor, pH value, number of microorganisms and bacteria, contamination degree, etc.) of the working fluid and the concentration of antiseptic and bactericide are usually carried out by the cutting fluid manufacturer (or the manufacturer of the antiseptic and bactericide) in advance. After analysis and inspection, and after consultation with users, it is decided to add the type and quantity of antiseptic and bactericide. These measures have a significant effect on prolonging the service life of water-based cutting fluids and reducing skin diseases. In addition, in terms of hygiene management, operators themselves should pay attention to the following points: 1) It is strictly forbidden to wash hands with water-based cutting fluids. 2) Always wear clean clothes and protective gloves. 3) Use water-resistant protective ointment before work, and wash your hands with soap and rub the nutritional ointment after work. 4) Try to keep the operator from contacting and less contact with cutting fluid. For example, for customers to automate operations, set up devices to prevent cutting fluid from splashing, etc.
