A decade ago, NIOSH issued its Criteria Document for Metalworking Fluids and a Recommended Exposure Limit, and the OSHA Metalworking Fluids Standards Advisory Committee submitted its recommendations for a Best Practices Document (as an interim action) and a comprehensive standard, including a Permissible Exposure Limit. In 2001, OSHA published a Best Practices for Metal Working Fluids document and decided to drop metalworking fluids from its regulatory agenda. Since that time and despite OSHA's decision not to promulgate a standard, industrial hygienists and other health professionals have continued to expand the knowledge base about: potential agents, sampling methods and control technology for metalworking fluids. As with earlier work, the focus has been on metal removal
fluids, a subset of metalworking fluids. This roundtable discussion will update participants with state-of-the-art information about potential agents, sampling methods, fluid management and control technology for metal removal fluids and mist as well as outreach efforts to share this knowledge with a wider audience. The potential for regulation will be discussed.
• The Biological Challenges: Endotoxin, Mycobacteria, Biofilm & Bioaerosols. F.J. Passman, Biodeterioriation Control Associates BCA Inc, Princeton, NJ.
• The Fluid: Management Strategies & Formulator Outreach Programs. J.K. Howell, D.A. Stuart Co., Warrenville, IL.
• The Mist: Field Measurement Challenges. D. Hands, Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, MI.
• The Mist: Strategies for the Evaluation of Controls. D.M. O'Brien, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
• The Future: Globalization and Sustainability. J.B. d'Arcy, General Motors, Warren, MI.
• Bottom Line: Are We Adequately Protecting Workers? F. Mirer, Hunter School of Health Sciences, New York, NY.