Presença de microrganismos em óleos de corte e sua relação com a saúde ocupacional

Abstract

Employees of companies in the metallurgical and mechanical sector use cutting oil or cutting fluids during the production process, in order to facilitate the cutting operation. These oils offer danger to human health and the environment. Microbiological contamination, particularly by bacteria and fungi, in emulsified oils is a concern, as these can cause health problems in employees, including dermatoses. The weakning of the nails is a sign / symptom of this problem. In this context, and since data concerning superficial fungal infections in employees of metalworking is scarce in Portugal, there is a need to determine its prevalence and relation to use of such cutting oils Between 02 August and 09 November 2007 samples of skin and / or nails of two different populations of metalworking plants (A and B) and different oils contained in the metalworking machinery and used by employees were collected and analysed for mycological contamination at ESB Labs. Of the total oil samples (n = 17), there was confirmation of the presence of fungi (positive cultures) in 14 cultures (82%), with 9 oils used in the Metalworking A (82%) and 5 (80%) used in the Metalworking B. In three samples (18%) the cultures were negative (or inconclusive). Of these, two (18%) were oils from Metalworking A and one (20%) was from Metalworking B. Of the total nail/skin samples analysed (n = 205), there was mycological confirmation of dermatomycoses (positive cultures) in 176 cultures (86%). In 29 samples (14%) the cultures were negative. Of the total of 175 individuals with positive cultures, 61 (35%) had signs of skin diseases - only positive cultures. The most common fungi in cutting oils were also the most frequent nails: Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Pichia guilliermondii. It was not possible to accurately assess whether exposure to cutting oils causes the occurrence of skin diseases.

Date of Award	Sept 2011
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	José Manuel Rocha Nogueira (Supervisor)