Purpose of review: To examine the current occurrence of respiratory and skin disease in workers who do metal machining with metal working fluids (MWFs), a common work process in manufacturing.
Recent findings: A summary of the 27 recognized outbreaks of respiratory disease in workers exposed to MWFs was published. New studies have identified irritative symptoms among workers with low-level exposures. There were review articles discussing the content, measurement and control of microbial agents in MWFs.
Summary: The occurrence of work-related asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis appears to have diminished in the last 10 years. This is presumed to be secondary to lower air levels from the use of newer machining equipment, which are enclosed and have local ventilation as well as better control of microbial contaminants. However, clinicians need to be aware that at the minimum irritative symptoms of the upper respiratory tract are still being reported at these lower exposure levels and there remains the possibility of the development of asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Given the widespread use of MWFs in manufacturing facilities, clinicians need to consider the possibility that MWFs are the cause or are aggravating the respiratory and dermatologic conditions of their patients.