ASTM E2148-21

4.4.1.1Test Method E1687 covers a microbiological test procedure based upon the Salmonella mutagenesis assay of Ames et al.4.4.1.2Producers of metalworking fluids and metal removal fluids should assure themselves that virgin base oils used in the formulation of neat metalworking and metal removal oils and soluble and semi-synthetic metal removal fluids have an acceptable mutagenicity index or mutagenic potency index.

4.4.2.1Guide E1302 defines acute animal toxicity tests and sets forth references for procedures to assess the acute toxicity of water-miscible metal removal fluids as manufactured.

4.4.2.2Application of Guide E1302 will provide information on the acute toxicity of water-miscible metal removal fluids and will assist the user in evaluating the potential health hazards of the fluid and developing appropriate work practices.

4.4.3.1Guide E3265 provides an overview of foaming tendency evaluation protocols and their appropriate use.

4.4.3.2Test Methods D3519 and D3601 were withdrawn in 2013. Although each method had some utility, neither method reliably predicted in-use foaming tendency. Since Test Methods D3519 and D3601 were first adopted several more predictive test protocols have been developed. However, it is also common knowledge that no single protocol is universally suitable for predicting water-miscible metalworking fluid (MWF) foaming tendency.

4.4.3.3There are no generally recognized reference standard fluids (either MWF or foam control additive). Instead, it is important to include a relevant reference sample in all testing.

4.4.3.4Guide E3265 summarizes foam forming theory then provides a summary of commonly used foaming test protocols, including blender, shake, air sparge, and recirculation tests.

4.4.3.5For each protocol, Guide E3265 explains the testing concept, apparatus needed, a summary of the test process, reporting, protocol variations, most appropriate applications and advantages, and least appropriate applications and limitations.

4.5.1.1Practice E1497 sets forth guidelines for the safe use of metal removal fluids, additives, and biocides. This includes product selection, storage, dispensing, and maintenance.

4.5.1.2Water-miscible metal removal fluids are typically used at high dilution and dilution rates vary widely. Additionally, there is potential for exposure to undiluted metal removal fluid as manufactured, as well as metal removal fluid additives and biocides.

4.5.1.3Straight oils generally consist of a severely solvent-refined or hydro-treated petroleum oil, a synthetic oil, or other oils of animal or vegetable origin. Straight oils are not intended to be diluted with water prior to use. Additives are often included in straight oil formulations.

4.5.2.1Practice E1972 sets forth guidelines for minimizing effects of aerosols in the wet metal removal environment.

4.5.2.2Practice E1972 incorporates all practical means and mechanisms to minimize aerosol generation and to control effects of aerosols in the wet metal removal environment.

4.5.3.1Test Method D7049 covers a procedure for the determination of both total collected particulate matter and extractable mass metal removal fluid aerosol concentrations in a range from 0.05 mg/m³ to 5 mg/m³ in workplace atmospheres.

4.5.3.2Test Method D7049 describes a standardized means of collecting worker exposure information that can be compared to existing exposure databases, using a test method that is also more specific to metal removal fluids.

4.5.4.1Practice E2144 covers quantitative methods for the personal sampling and determination of bacterial endotoxin concentrations in polydisperse metal removal fluid aerosols in workplace atmospheres. Users should have fundamental knowledge of microbiological techniques and endotoxin testing.

4.5.4.2Endotoxins in metal removal fluid aerosols present potential respiratory hazards to workers who inhale them.

4.5.4.3Users of Practice E2144 may obtain personal exposure data of endotoxin in metal removal fluid aerosols, either on a short-term or full-shift basis in workplace atmospheres.

4.5.4.4Practice E2144 gives an estimate of the endotoxin concentration of the sampled atmosphere.

4.5.4.5Practice E2144 seeks to minimize interlaboratory variation, but does not ensure uniformity of results.

4.5.4.6It is anticipated that Practice E2144 will facilitate interlaboratory comparisons of airborne endotoxin data from metalworking fluid atmospheres, particularly metal removal fluid atmospheres, by providing a basis for endotoxin sampling, extraction, and analytical methods.

4.5.5.1Practice E2169 provides recommendations for selecting antimicrobial pesticides (microbiocides) for use in water-miscible metalworking fluids (MWF). It presents information regarding regulatory requirements, as well as technical factors including target microbes, efficacy, and chemical compatibility.

4.5.5.2Practice E2169 is not an encyclopedic compilation of all the concepts and terminology used by chemists, microbiologits, toxicologists, formulators, plant engineers, and regulatory affairs specialists involved in antimicrobial pesticide selection and application. Instead, it provides a general understanding of the selection process and its supporting considerations.

4.5.6.1Practice E2657 covers quantitative methods for the sampling and determination of Gram-negative bacterial endotoxin concentrations in water-miscible metalworking fluids (MWF).

4.5.6.2Users of Practice E2657 should be familiar with the handling of MWF.

4.5.6.3Practice E2657 gives an estimate of the endotoxin concentration of the sampled MWF.

4.5.6.4Practice E2657 seeks to minimize interlaboratory variation but does not ensure uniformity of results.

4.5.6.5Practice E2657 is intended to relate endotoxin concentration in MWF to health effects of inhaled endotoxin.

4.5.7.1Test Method E2563 covers the detection and enumeration of viable and culturable rapidly growing Mycobacteria (RGM), or non-tuberculosis Mycobacteria (NTM) in aqueous metalworking fluids (MWF) in the presence of high non-mycobacterial background population using standard microbiological culture methods.

4.5.7.2NTM such as Mycobacterium immunogenum have been implicated as causative agents of the respiratory disease, 4.5.7.3The measurement of viable and culturable mycobacterial densities combined with the total mycobacterial counts (including viable culturable (VC), viable non-culturable (VNC), and non-viable (NV) counts) is usually the first step in establishing any possible relationship between 4.5.7.4Test Method E2563 can be employed in survey studies to characterize the viable culturable mycobacterial population densities of metal working fluid field samples.

4.5.7.5Test Method E2563 is also applicable for establishing the mycobacterial resistance of metalworking fluid formulations by determining mycobacterium survival by means of plate count technique.

4.5.7.6Test Method E2563 can be used to evaluate the relative efficacy of microbicides against Mycobacteria in metalworking fluids.

4.5.8.1Test Method E2564 describes a direct microscopic counting method (DMC) for the enumeration of the acid-fast stained mycobacteria population in metalworking fluids. It can be used to detect levels of total mycobacteria population, including culturable as well as non-culturable (possibly dead or moribund) bacterial cells. This test method is recommended for all water-based metalworking fluids.

4.5.8.2As noted in 4.5.7.1, non-tuberculosis mycobacteria are common members of the indigenous MWF bacterial population that have been implicated as agents of HP.

4.5.8.3Test Method E2564 provides a quantitative assessment of the total numbers of acid-fast bacilli using acid-fast staining to selectively identify mycobacteria from other bacteria, followed by enumeration or direct microscopic counting of a known volume over a known area.

4.5.8.4Although other microbesparticularly the Actinomycetesalso stain acid fast, they are differentiated from the mycobacteria because of their morphology and size. Non-mycobacteria, acid-fast microbes are 50 to 100 times larger than mycobacteria.

4.5.8.5Test Method E2564 provides quantitative information on the total (culturable and non-culturable viable, and non-viable) mycobacteria populations. The results are expressed quantitatively as mycobacteria per mL of metalworking fluid sample.

4.5.8.6The DMC method using the acid-fast staining technique is a semi-quantitative method with a relatively fast turnaround time.

4.5.8.7The DMC method can also be employed in field survey studies to characterize the changes in total mycobacteria densities of metalworking fluid systems over a long period of time.

4.5.8.8The sensitivity detection limit of the DMC method depends on the MF and the sample volume (direct or centrifuged, etc.) examined.

4.5.9.1Test Method E2694 provides a protocol for capturing, extracting, and quantifying the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content associated with microorganisms found in MWF.

4.5.9.2Test Method E2694 measures the concentration of ATP present in the sample. ATP is a constituent of all living cells, including bacteria and fungi. Consequently, the presence of ATP is an indicator of total microbial contamination in metalworking fluids. ATP is not associated with matter of non-biological origin.

4.5.9.3The ATP test provides rapid test results that reflect the total bioburden in the sample. It thereby reduces the delay between test initiation and data capture, from the 36 h to 48 h (or longer) required for culturable colonies to become visible, to approximately 5 min.

4.5.9.4Although ATP data generally covary with culture data in MWF,4.5.9.5Because ATP is present in all living organisms, Test Method E2694 can be used as a first-screen to determine whether additional microbiological testing is needed.

4.5.9.6Although there is no consensus on the exact relationship between bulk MWF bioburdens and bioaerosol concentrations, it is generally recognized that higher bulk fluid bioburdens imply higher bioaerosol concentrations.

4.5.10.1Practice E2693 sets forth guidelines for reducing dermatitis caused by exposure to the wet metal removal environment. The scope of this practice does not include exposure to chemicals that enter the body through intact skin (cutaneous route), which has the potential to cause other toxic effects.

4.5.10.2Practice E2693 incorporates means and mechanisms to reduce dermal exposure to the wet metal removal environment and to control factors in the wet metal removal environment that have the potential to cause dermatitis.

4.5.10.3Practice E2693 focuses on employee exposure to the skin via contact and exposure to metal removal fluid (MRF).

4.6.1.1Practice E2889 sets forth guidelines to control respiratory hazards in the metal removal fluid environment.

4.6.1.2Practice E2889 adopts a systems management approach to control of respiratory hazards in the metal removal fluid environment. Elements include management practices, product selection, methods for mist minimization, machine tool design and maintenance, bioaerosol control, fluid testing and maintenance, personal protective equipment, occupational exposure guidelines, aerosol monitoring and testing methods, medical monitoring and management, and communication and training.

4.6.1.3Practice E2889 focuses on employee exposure via inhalation of metal removal fluids and associated airborne agents. It does not include prevention of dermatitis, which is the subject of Practice E2693.

4.6.2.1This guide collects best practices in the management of metal removal fluid systems and provides an educational tool to assist users in taking control of the MRF systems in their workplaces.

4.6.2.2For many industrial organizations, focusing on the systematic management of MRF systems has proven effective in controlling exposures in the wet metal removal/machining environment. The recommendations are distilled from the experiences of Organization Resources Counselors member companies and represent best practice.

4.6.3.1This criteria document reviews available information about the adverse health effects associated with occupational exposure to metalworking fluids and metalworking fluid aerosols.

4.6.3.2Criteria documents provide the scientific basis for new occupational safety and health standards and contain a critical review of the scientific and technical information available on the prevalence of hazards, the existence of safety and health risks, and the adequacy of control methods.

4.6.4.1This document reviews best practices as documented by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, including engineering and work practice controls, establishing a metalworking fluid management program, instituting an exposure monitoring program, medical monitoring of exposed employees, and training.

4.6.4.2This manual is not a standard or regulation and creates no new legal obligations. It is advisory in nature, informational in content, and is intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace for workers exposed to metalworking fluids through effective prevention programs adapted to the needs and resources of each place of employment.