Machinists with asthma: I've got a question for you (or anyone really)

[MCImes]

Hello,
our shop uses Naptha 140 high flash to de-oil our parts. almost no one at the shop cares at all about health or air quality, or long term brain damage so many of them will dip parts into the solvent and promptly blow them off with an air gun. You can see a large cloud of oil and solvent go into the air this is especially bad with blind holes.

I painted for a few years before I started machining and worked with a lot of lacquer. I have seen the effects first hand of long term hydrocarbon exposure in some of the old guys and it does not look great. I was always religious about wearing a respirator for that reason.

I have asthma that usually isn't too bad but lately ive been having frequent irritation at work and blame some of it on the solvent (plus some on the generally poor air quality). So, for those of you with asthma or concerned about occupational health: what de greaser do you recommend that is as inert as possible? It only needs to remove the majority of cutting oil. The parts do not need to be completely clean, just mostly clean so it does not need to be particularly strong. we use Mobilmet 766 cutting oil.

I talked to our purchaser and he was open to using a different solvent so I thought I'd get some input form you guys. We have dust masks available but its really annoying to wear one 48 hours a week Id like to try to control some of the source of the problem.


Thanks!

[txcncman]

They are a little costly, but there are degreasing machines/systems on the market for this kind of thing. In your situation I would highly recommend one. Or two if you have that much demand. If you do not want to go that route, think about using a coolant/lubricant other than oil. There are options out there. Finally, you might want to consider a career change. It is doubtful you will be able to change your company's current policies. Find one that is already aware of health risks and already takes steps to reduce them.

[JWH]

At our shop we use Dawn dish soap. Mix up some Dawn and hot water in a tub, give the parts a cleaning and a rinse with hot water and blow them dry with the air gun. We used to use solvents but I found that Dawn works as well or better. It really works to remove coolant, oil and grease and we can use it on plastic parts without worrying about damaging the parts. I also add some to our vibratory tumbler and the parts come out clean and free of coolant and oil. Don’t add too much to a vibratory tumbler or you will have suds everywhere.

JWH

[underthetire]

Dust masks won't help you much.

Small ultrasonic cleaners with Dawn or Mr. Clean work very well.

[MCImes]

Ill try Dawn as a wash today and report back. however, will it rust non stainless parts?

As for dust masks it depends a lot on what you use. If you buy a $1 POS mask with tiny rubber band straps, then yes, its basically worthless. I have been using a P95 OSHA approved mask with heavy duty elastic straps and a Cool flow one way valve. This helps with the asthma a lot but is annoying to wear all day.

General FYI to those wearing masks: N95 is what most masks are rated for which means 95% filtration of non oily particles.

P95 is the same but will filter oil mist. Thats what Ive been wearing.

[JWH]

Dawn should not cause parts to rust but if you need a coat of oil to prevent rust during shipping or if the parts are stored in a humid or cold place then you might not want to use it because it will remove all the oil. Use hot water to rinse parts after cleaning because it is easier to dry the parts if they are warm.

JWH