Disclaimer: These guidelines were developed under contract using generally accepted secondary sources. The protocol used by the contractor for surveying these data sources was developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Department of Energy (DOE). The information contained in these guidelines is intended for reference purposes only. None of the agencies have conducted a comprehensive check of the information and data contained in these sources. It provides a summary of information about chemicals that workers may be exposed to in their workplaces. The secondary sources used for supplements 111 and 1V were published before 1992 and 1993, respectively, and for the remainder of the guidelines the secondary sources used were published before September 1996. This information may be superseded by new developments in the field of industrial hygiene. Therefore readers are advised to determine whether new information is available.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH GUIDELINE FOR OIL MIST, MINERAL OIL

INTRODUCTION

This guideline summarizes pertinent information about mineral oil mist for workers and employers as well as for physicians, industrial hygienists, and other occupational safety and health professionals who may need such information to conduct effective occupational safety and health programs. Recommendations may be superseded by new developments in these fields; readers are therefore advised to regard these recommendations as general guidelines and to determine whether new information is available.

SUBSTANCE IDENTIFICATION

* Formula

Varies.

* Structure

(For Structure, see paper copy)

* Synonyms

Mist of the following oils: alboline; white mineral oil; bayol F;

blandlube; drakeol; parrafin oil; liquid petrolatum; cutting oil;

heat-treating oil; hydraulic oil; transformer oil;

lubricating oil; drawing oil; crystol 325;

* Identifiers

1. CAS No.: 8012-95-1 (other applicable CAS Nos. 64742-46-7, 39355-35-6, 79956-36-8, 83046-05-3)

2. RTECS No.: PY8030000

3. Specific DOT number: None

4. Specific DOT label: None

* Appearance and odor

Mineral oil mist is a colorless, oily liquid mist generated as a result of the use of various mineral oils. It has an odor similar to burned lubricating oil. An odor threshold of 1.0 part per million (ppm) parts of air has been reported.

CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

* Physical data

1. Molecular weight: Varies.

2. Boiling point (at 760 mm Hg): Varies for specific mineral oils; 360 degrees C (680 degrees F)

3. Specific gravity: Varies for specific mineral oils; 0.822 at 20 degrees C (68 degrees F)

4. Vapor density: Data not available.

5. Melting point: Varies for specific mineral oils.

6. Vapor pressure: Data not available.

7. Solubility: Insoluble in water and alcohol; soluble in benzene, chloroform, ether, carbon disulfide, petroleum ether, and oils.

8. Evaporation rate: Data not available.

* Reactivity

1. Conditions contributing to instability: Heat, sparks, and open flame.

2. Incompatibilities: None reported.

3. Hazardous decomposition products: None reported.

4. Special precautions: None reported.

* Flammability

The National Fire Protection Association has assigned a flammability rating of 1 (slight fire hazard) to mineral oil mist.

1. Flash point: Varies for specific mineral oils; 193 degrees C (380 degrees F) (open cup)

2. Autoignition temperature: Data not available.

3. Flammable limits in air: Data not available.

4. Extinguishant: Use an extinguishant that is suitable for the materials involved in the surrounding fire.

Fires involving mineral oil mist should be fought upwind from the maximum distance possible. Isolate the hazard area and deny access to unnecessary personnel. Firefighters should wear a full set of protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus when fighting fires involving mineral oil mist.

EXPOSURE LIMITS

* OSHA PEL

The current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) for mineral oil mist is 5 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m(3)) of air as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) concentration [29 CFR 1910.1000, Table Z-1].

* NIOSH REL

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has established a recommended exposure limit (REL) for mineral oil mist of 5 mg/m(3) as a TWA for up to a 10-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek and 10 mg/m(3) as a 15-minute TWA short-term exposure limit (STEL). A STEL is the maximum 15-minute concentration to which workers may be exposed during any 15-minute period of the working day [NIOSH 1992].

* ACGIH TLV

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has assigned mineral oil mist a threshold limit value (TLV) of 5 mg/m(3) as a TWA for a normal 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek and a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 10 mg/m(3) for periods not to exceed 15 minutes. Exposures at the STEL concentration should not be repeated more than four times a day and should be separated by intervals of at least 60 minutes [ACGIH 1994, p. 28].

* Rationale for Limits

The NIOSH limits are based on the risk of respiratory effects [NIOSH 1992].

The ACGIH limits are based on the risk of respiratory effects [ACGIH 1991, p. 1146].

HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION

* Routes of Exposure

Exposure to mineral oil mist can occur through inhalation, ingestion, and eye or skin contact.

* Summary of toxicology

1. Effects on Animals: Mineral oil mists can affect the lungs of experimental animals, and certain mineral oils are carcinogenic [ACGIH 1991]. Petroleum oil is essentially innocuous when it comes in contact with rabbit corneas [Grant 1986]. Mineral oil mists derived from highly refined oils appear to have a low acute and sub-acute toxicity in experimental animals. The oral LD(50) in rodents is greater than 10 g/kg [Clayton and Clayton 1982]. The dermal LD(50) in rodents is greater than 15 g/kg [Clayton and Clayton 1982]. Single and short-term experiments (up to six months) using concentrations above 100 mg/m(3) have caused lung inflammatory reactions, lipoid granuloma formation, and lipoid pneumonia [ACGIH 1991]. No significant toxicity was observed in studies conducted at concentrations closer to actual workplace levels [ACGIH 1991]. Long term inhalation toxicity tests suggest that mineral oils have low chronic toxicity. Chronic studies using exposure concentrations above 100 mg/m(3) have resulted in lung inflammatory reactions and lipoid granuloma formation. No carcinogenic effects were observed during these studies even in those species considered to be highly susceptible [ACGIH 1991]. However, skin painting studies suggest that certain mineral oils are carcinogenic in experimental animals; in general, the less severely treated oils are carcinogenic, but severely treated oils are not carcinogenic [ACGIH 1991]. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) performed evaluations on nine of the mineral oils based on skin painting studies in animals, and the results are as follows: 1) vacuum distillates - sufficient evidence, 2) severely solvent refined - no evidence, 3) mildly solvent refined - sufficient evidence, 4) severely hydrotreated - inadequate evidence, 5) mildly hydrotreated - sufficient evidence, 6) severely acid treated (oleum) - no evidence, 7) mildly acid treated - sufficient evidence, 8) aromatic distillate extracts - sufficient evidence, 9) white oils - no evidence [IARC 1984; ACGIH 1991].

2. Effects on Humans: Exposure to mineral oil mists can cause eye, skin, and upper respiratory tract irritation as well as central nervous system effects in humans. In addition, certain mineral oils are carcinogenic in humans [Hathaway et al. 1991]. Exposure to mineral oil mists can result in localized irritation of the mucous membranes, and if exposures are excessive, headaches, dizziness, and drowsiness may result [Genium 1985]. Liquid petrolatum is essentially innocuous when it comes in contact with human corneas [Grant 1986]. A case of lipoid pneumonia was reported in a worker following a high-exposure to mineral oil with inadequate ventilation [ACGIH 1991; Hathaway et al. 1991]. Many studies confirm that poorly refined mineral oil can induce skin and scrotal cancers after prolonged, repeated, and heavy direct contact with the skin [ACGIH 1991]. In addition, repeated dermal exposures may result in dermatitis [Genium 1985]. Aspiration of mineral oil mists into the lungs can result in blue coloration of the skin, rapid heartbeat, fever, and chemical pneumonia possibly followed by a secondary infection [Genium 1985; Sittig 1991]. Ingestion will cause a burning sensation in the mouth, throat, and stomach followed by vomiting, diarrhea, and belching [Sittig 1991]. IARC has concluded that there is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of untreated and mildly treated oils in humans, but inadequate evidence for highly-refined oils [IARC 1987].

* Signs and symptoms of exposure

1. Acute exposure: Acute exposures to mineral oil mists may result in eye, skin, or upper respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, or the respiratory distress associated with chemical pneumonia. Aspiration may result in fever, rapid heartbeat, or cyanosis.

2. Chronic exposure: Chronic exposures to mineral oil mists may result in skin irritation or dermatitis, shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, or tachypnea.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL PROCEDURES

* Emergency medical procedures: [NIOSH to supply]

5. Rescue: Remove an incapacitated worker from further exposure and implement appropriate emergency procedures (e.g., those listed on the Material Safety Data Sheet required by OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard [29 CFR 1910.1200]). All workers should be familiar with emergency procedures, the location and proper use of emergency equipment, and methods of protecting themselves during rescue operations.

EXPOSURE SOURCES AND CONTROL METHODS

The following operations may involve mineral oil mist and lead to worker exposures to this substance:

* The manufacture and transportation of mineral oil mist

* Use as a lubricating oil

* Use as a solvent for inks

* Use in rubber extenders, food additives, and pharmaceutical preparations

* Use in cosmetics, agricultural sprays, corrosion inhibitors, soaps, and defoamers

Methods that are effective in controlling worker exposures to mineral oil mist depending on the feasibility of implementation, are as follows:

* Process enclosure

* Local exhaust ventilation

* General dilution ventilation

* Personal protective equipment

Workers responding to a release or potential release of a hazardous substance must be protected as required by paragraph (q) of OSHA's Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard [29 CFR 1910.120].

Good sources of information about control methods are as follows:

1. ACGIH [1992]. Industrial ventilation--a manual of recommended practice. 21st ed. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

2. Burton DJ [1986]. Industrial ventilation--a self study companion. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

3. Alden JL, Kane JM [1982]. Design of industrial ventilation systems. New York, NY: Industrial Press, Inc.

4. Wadden RA, Scheff PA [1987]. Engineering design for control of workplace hazards. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

5. Plog BA [1988]. Fundamentals of industrial hygiene. Chicago, IL: National Safety Council.

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE

OSHA is currently developing requirements for medical surveillance. When these requirements are promulgated, readers should refer to them for additional information and to determine whether employers whose employees are exposed to mineral oil mist are required to implement medical surveillance procedures.

* Medical Screening

Workers who may be exposed to chemical hazards should be monitored in a systematic program of medical surveillance that is intended to prevent occupational injury and disease. The program should include education of employers and workers about work-related hazards, early detection of adverse health effects, and referral of workers for diagnosis and treatment. The occurrence of disease or other work-related adverse health effects should prompt immediate evaluation of primary preventive measures (e.g., industrial hygiene monitoring, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment). A medical surveillance program is intended to supplement, not replace, such measures. To detect and control work-related health effects, medical evaluations should be performed (1) before job placement, (2) periodically during the term of employment, and (3) at the time of job transfer or termination.

* Preplacement medical evaluation

Before a worker is placed in a job with a potential for exposure to mineral oil mist a licensed health care professional should evaluate and document the worker's baseline health status with thorough medical, environmental, and occupational histories, a physical examination, and physiologic and laboratory tests appropriate for the anticipated occupational risks. These should concentrate on the function and integrity of the skin and respiratory system. Medical surveillance for respiratory disease should be conducted using the principles and methods recommended by the American Thoracic Society.

A preplacement medical evaluation is recommended to assess medical conditions that may be aggravated or may result in increased risk when a worker is exposed to mineral oil mist at or below the prescribed exposure limit. The health care professional should consider the probable frequency, intensity, and duration of exposure as well as the nature and degree of any applicable medical condition. Such conditions (which should not be regarded as absolute contraindications to job placement) include a history and other findings consistent with diseases of the skin or respiratory system.

* Periodic medical evaluations

Occupational health interviews and physical examinations should be performed at regular intervals during the employment period, as mandated by any applicable Federal, State, or local standard. Where no standard exists and the hazard is minimal, evaluations should be conducted every 3 to 5 years or as frequently as recommended by an experienced occupational health physician. Additional examinations may be necessary if a worker develops symptoms attributable to mineral oil mist exposure. The interviews, examinations, and medical screening tests should focus on identifying the adverse effects of mineral oil mist on the skin or respiratory system. Current health status should be compared with the baseline health status of the individual worker or with expected values for a suitable reference population.

* Termination medical evaluations

The medical, environmental, and occupational history interviews, the physical examination, and selected physiologic or laboratory tests that were conducted at the time of placement should be repeated at the time of job transfer or termination to determine the worker's medical status at the end of his or her employment. Any changes in the worker's health status should be compared with those expected for a suitable reference population. Because occupational exposure to mineral oil mist may cause diseases with prolonged latent periods, the need for medical surveillance may extend well beyond the termination of employment.

* Biological monitoring

Biological monitoring involves sampling and analyzing body tissues or fluids to provide an index of exposure to a toxic substance or metabolite. No biological monitoring test acceptable for routine use has yet been developed for mineral oil mist.

WORKPLACE MONITORING AND MEASUREMENT

Determination of a worker's exposure to airborne mineral oil mist is made using a tared low ash polyvinyl chloride (LAPVC) filter (5 microns). Samples are collected at a maximum flow rate of 2.0 liters/minute until a maximum collection volume of 960 liters is reached. Analysis is conducted by gravimetric methods (weighing). This method is described in the OSHA Computerized Information System and is fully validated. NIOSH has published a similar method (Method No. 5026) that requires flow rates of between 1 and 3 liters/minute and total sample volumes of between 20 and 500 liters. Analysis is conducted by infrared spectrophotometry for this method [NIOSH 1994b].

PERSONAL HYGIENE PROCEDURES

If mineral oil contacts the skin, workers should immediately wash the affected areas with large amounts of soap and water.

Clothing contaminated with mineral oil should be removed immediately, and provisions should be made for the safe removal of the chemical from the clothing. Persons laundering the clothes should be informed of the hazardous properties of mineral oil.

A worker who handles mineral oil should thoroughly wash hands, forearms, and face with soap and water before eating, using tobacco products, using toilet facilities, applying cosmetics, or taking medication.

Workers should not eat, drink, use tobacco products, apply cosmetics, or take medication in areas where mineral oil or a solution containing mineral oil is handled, processed, or stored.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements for emergency planning, reportable quantities of hazardous releases, community right-to-know, and hazardous waste management may change over time. Users are therefore advised to determine periodically whether new information is available.

* Emergency planning requirements

Mineral oil mist is not subject to EPA emergency planning requirements under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) (Title III) in 42 USC 11022.

* Reportable quantity requirements for hazardous releases

A hazardous substance release is defined by EPA as any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing into the environment (including the abandonment or discarding of contaminated containers) of hazardous substances. In the event of a release that is above the reportable quantity for that chemical, employers are required to notify the proper Federal, State, and local authorities [40 CFR 355.40].

Employers are not required by the emergency release notification provisions in 40 CFR Part 355.40 to notify the National Response Center of an accidental release of mineral oil mist; there is no reportable quantity for this substance.

* Community right-to-know requirements

Employers are not required by EPA in 40 CFR Part 372.30 to submit a Toxic Chemical Release Inventory form (Form R) to EPA reporting the amount of mineral oil mist emitted or released from their facility annually.

* Hazardous waste management requirements

EPA considers a waste to be hazardous if it exhibits any of the following characteristics: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity as defined in 40 CFR 261.21-261.24. Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) [40 USC 6901 et seq.], EPA has specifically listed many chemical wastes as hazardous. Although mineral oil mist is not specifically listed as a hazardous waste under RCRA, EPA requires employers to treat waste as hazardous if it exhibits any of the characteristics discussed above.

Providing detailed information about the removal and disposal of specific chemicals is beyond the scope of this guideline. The U.S. Department of Transportation, EPA, and State and local regulations should be followed to ensure that removal, transport, and disposal of this substance are conducted in accordance with existing regulations. To be certain that chemical waste disposal meets EPA regulatory requirements, employers should address any questions to the RCRA hotline at (703) 412-9810 (in the Washington, D.C. area) or toll-free at (800) 424-9346 (outside Washington, D.C.). In addition, relevant State and local authorities should be contacted for information on any requirements they may have for the waste removal and disposal of this substance.

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

* Conditions for respirator use

Good industrial hygiene practice requires that engineering controls be used where feasible to reduce workplace concentrations of hazardous materials to the prescribed exposure limit. However, some situations may require the use of respirators to control exposure. Respirators must be worn if the ambient concentration of mineral oil mist exceeds prescribed exposure limits. Respirators may be used (1) before engineering controls have been installed, (2) during work operations such as maintenance or repair activities that involve unknown exposures, (3) during operations that require entry into tanks or closed vessels, and (4) during emergencies. Workers should only use respirators that have been approved by NIOSH and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

* Respiratory protection program

Employers should institute a complete respiratory protection program that, at a minimum, complies with the requirements of OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard [29 CFR 1910.134]. Such a program must include respirator selection, an evaluation of the worker's ability to perform the work while wearing a respirator, the regular training of personnel, respirator fit testing, periodic workplace monitoring, and regular respirator maintenance, inspection, and cleaning. The implementation of an adequate respiratory protection program (including selection of the correct respirator) requires that a knowledgeable person be in charge of the program and that the program be evaluated regularly. For additional information on the selection and use of respirators and on the medical screening of respirator users, consult the latest edition of the NIOSH Respirator Decision Logic [NIOSH 1987b] and the NIOSH Guide to Industrial Respiratory Protection [NIOSH 1987a].

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Workers should use appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment that must be carefully selected, used, and maintained to be effective in preventing skin contact with mineral oil mist. The selection of the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g., gloves, sleeves, encapsulating suits) should be based on the extent of the worker's potential exposure to mineral oil mist. There are no published reports on the resistance of various materials to permeation by mineral oil mist.

To evaluate the use of PPE materials with mineral oil mist, users should consult the best available performance data and manufacturers' recommendations. Significant differences have been demonstrated in the chemical resistance of generically similar PPE materials (e.g., butyl) produced by different manufacturers. In addition, the chemical resistance of a mixture may be significantly different from that of any of its neat components.

Any chemical-resistant clothing that is used should be periodically evaluated to determine its effectiveness in preventing dermal contact. Safety showers and eye wash stations should be located close to operations that involve the generation of mineral oil mist.

Splash-proof chemical safety goggles or face shields (20 to 30 cm long, minimum) should be worn during any operation in which a solvent, caustic, or other toxic substance may be splashed into the eyes.

In addition to the possible need for wearing protective outer apparel (e.g., aprons, encapsulating suits), workers should wear work uniforms, coveralls, or similar full-body coverings that are laundered each day. Employers should provide lockers or other closed areas to store work and street clothing separately. Employers should collect work clothing at the end of each work shift and provide for its laundering. Laundry personnel should be informed about the potential hazards of handling contaminated clothing and instructed about measures to minimize their health risk.

Protective clothing should be kept free of oil and grease and should be inspected and maintained regularly to preserve its effectiveness.

Protective clothing may interfere with the body's heat dissipation, especially during hot weather or during work in hot or poorly ventilated work environments.

REFERENCES

ACGIH [1991]. Documentation of the threshold limit values and biological exposure indices. 6th ed. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

ACGIH [1994]. 1994-1995 Threshold limit values for chemical substances and physical agents and biological exposure indices. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

ATS [1987]. Standardization of spirometry -- 1987 update. American Thoracic Society. Am Rev Respir Dis 136:1285-1296.

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Clayton G, Clayton F [1981-1982]. Patty's industrial hygiene and toxicology. 3rd rev. ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.

Genium [1985]. Material safety data sheet No. 525. Schenectady, NY: Genium Publishing Corporation.

Grant WM [1986]. Toxicology of the eye. 3rd ed. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.

Hathaway GJ, Proctor NH, Hughes JP, and Fischman ML [1991]. Proctor and Hughes' chemical hazards of the workplace. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold.

IARC [1984]. IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risk of chemicals to man. Volume 33. Lyon, France: World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer.

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Mickelsen RL, Hall RC, Chern RT, Myers JR [1991]. Evaluation of a simple weight-loss method for determining the permeation of organic liquids through rubber films. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 52(10): 445-447.

NFPA [1986]. Fire protection guide on hazardous materials. 9th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association.

NIOSH [1987a]. NIOSH guide to industrial respiratory protection. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 87-116.

NIOSH [1987b]. NIOSH respirator decision logic. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 87-108.

NIOSH [1991]. Registry of toxic effects of chemical substances: Mineral oil. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Standards Development and Technology Transfer, Technical Information Branch.

NIOSH [1992]. Recommendations for occupational safety and health: Compendium of policy documents and statements. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-100.

NIOSH [1994a]. NIOSH pocket guide to chemical hazards. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-116.

NIOSH [1994b]. NIOSH manual of analytical methods. 4th ed. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-113.

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NLM [1992]. Hazardous substances data bank: Mineral oil. Bethesda, MD: National Library of Medicine.

OSHA [1994]. Computerized information system. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Sittig M [1991]. Handbook of toxic and hazardous chemicals. 3rd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Publications.

USC. United States code. Washington. DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

USCG [1984]. CHRIS (chemical hazards response information system) hazardous chemical data manual: Mineral oil. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Coast Guard, Commandant Instruction M16465.12A.

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