May 29th, 2025 | Posted in Air Cleaners

Coolant Mist Health Risks What Every Facility Manager Should Know

Industrial processes like metalworking and machining generate high amounts of coolant mist, often referred to as metalworking fluid (MWF) mist. While these fluids improve efficiency and protect equipment, research shows that exposure to coolant mist can pose significant and often under-recognized health risks, including increased cancer risk.

This is why it is essential to understand not only the dangers, but also how oil mist extraction systems and proper oil mist filtration play a critical role in workplace safety.

What Is Coolant Mist and Why Should You Care?

Coolant mist is a fine aerosol produced during metalworking operations as cutting fluids or oils are sprayed or vaporized under high pressure. Workers are exposed by inhaling this mist or through skin contact. What’s alarming is that coolant mist isn’t just a nuisance; it carries a variety of chemicals and additives, some of which can be harmful over the long term.

Scientific Findings on Cancer Links

Peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated a clear connection between certain types of coolant mist and elevated cancer risk. Here’s what the research says:

• Straight Oils Carry the Highest Risk: Studies have repeatedly shown that exposure to straight oil coolants is strongly associated with an increased incidence of several cancers, including lung, liver, pancreatic, laryngeal, and bladder cancers.
• Water-Based and Semi-Synthetic MWFs: While generally less hazardous than straight oils, these coolants are not risk-free. Some research links them to digestive and hormonal cancers, and the health impact of many new additives is still largely unknown.
• Additives and Undisclosed Risks: Evolving coolant formulas often introduce new chemicals without comprehensive long-term health studies, leaving workers exposed to unquantified risks.

The Limits of What We Know

Despite decades of research, many coolant mist components and additives remain unstudied in the long term. This knowledge gap means all machining environments should treat coolant mist health risks as a serious concern, not a theoretical one.

Best Practices to Protect Your Team

The good news is you don’t have to accept coolant mist as an unavoidable hazard. There are proven measures you can take:

1. Use a Modern Oil Mist Extraction System
   Installing an oil mist extraction or oil mist filtration system at the source of mist generation is one of the most effective ways to reduce airborne contaminants. Whether your machines are enclosed or open, targeted extraction units (like the Air Quality Engineering MistBuster series) can help capture and filter out hazardous particles before they reach workers’ breathing zones.
2. Implement Area-Wide Oil Mist Filtration
   For machines without full enclosures, ambient capture systems such as the Air Quality Engineering F33, F66, or F73 units provide comprehensive shop-wide air cleaning, further minimizing workplace exposure.
3. Consult With Experts
   Not all oil mist extraction solutions are created equal. Partner with application specialists familiar with your industry to design and install the optimal system for your operations.
4. Commit to Ongoing Maintenance and Monitoring
   Routine inspections and filter replacements are vital. Regular air quality assessments ensure your extraction systems continue to perform at their best.

Support and Solutions

Reducing coolant mist in your facility pays dividends in safety, morale, and productivity. Now is the time to audit your current air quality controls and explore the benefits of advanced oil mist extraction and oil mist filtration solutions.

References

[1] Park, R. M. (2018). Cancer risk associated with exposure to metalworking fluids: A systematic review. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 61(5), 380–398.

[2] Mirer, F. (2010). New evidence on metalworking fluids and cancer: A review of recent studies. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 7(4), 232–241.

[3] Colt, J. S., et al. (2014). Bladder cancer risk from different types of metalworking fluids. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 71(2), 100–106.

[4] Colbeth, H. L., et al. (2022). Cancer incidence in auto workers exposed to coolant mist. Environmental Health Perspectives, 130(8), 87001.

[5] Zeka, A., et al. (2004). Occupational exposure to metalworking fluids and cancer risk. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 30(6), 431–440.

[6] Friesen, M. C., et al. (2011). Colon cancer and metalworking fluid exposure in industrial settings. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 84(3), 335–340.