Wherever machinery operates at high speeds, such as during embossing or log sawing, friction is generated. Lubricants are therefore used to reduce friction and ensure reliable machine operation. However, when mineral oil-based lubricants are combined with high-speed machinery, the oil can be atomized into extremely fine droplets. This seemingly invisible mist can have a significant impact on occupational health and safety.
These small droplets disperse into the surrounding air as aerosols and are inhaled by employees. Larger droplets may be partially trapped and removed in the upper respiratory tract by mucus and cilia. Particularly fine oil droplets, however, can penetrate much deeper into the respiratory system and reach the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs.
What Happens in the Lungs?
The alveoli are responsible for the vital exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air we breathe and the bloodstream. Foreign substances that reach this sensitive area are taken up, among other mechanisms, by macrophages. These immune cells act as part of the lungs’ natural cleaning and defense system.
However, repeated or high exposure to inhaled oil droplets can overwhelm these protective mechanisms. Oil components and any contaminants carried with them can accumulate and trigger inflammatory reactions.
This makes one point clear: oil mist is not merely a visual or cleanliness issue in the production environment. The finest aerosol particles can penetrate deep into areas of the lungs where their removal becomes significantly more difficult.
Potential Health Effects
Exposure to oil mist can result in a range of health effects. Initial symptoms may include irritation of the respiratory tract and inflammatory reactions in the lungs. Complaints such as nausea, headaches, and dizziness may also occur.
Long-term exposure may be associated with more serious health consequences, including:
- chronic coughing,
- reduced lung function, including decreased respiratory capacity and narrowing of the airways,
- and an increased risk of cancer.
In addition to affecting air quality, oil mist can also negatively impact the working environment. Oil-containing deposits can contaminate machinery, surfaces, and floors. Slippery surfaces may also increase the risk of workplace accidents.
Preventing the Problem at Its Source
An effective approach is to reduce or prevent the formation of mineral oil mist directly at its source. This is precisely where water-based lubricants offer an alternative.
PETROFER recommends the water-based lubricants SAWLUBE PAP 32 for log saw cutting and EMBOLUBE VERDE for embossing applications.
Unlike mineral oil-based products, these lubricants are predominantly based on water and water-soluble components. As a result, the formation of the typical mineral oil mist associated with conventional lubricants can be avoided during application.
The principle is simple: instead of having to remove oil aerosols from the air after they have already formed, their generation is prevented directly within the process.
Conclusion
Water-based lubricants can help converting operations to:
- avoid contamination of the production air by mineral oil mist,
- keep machines and working areas cleaner,
- reduce cleaning requirements,
- improve occupational safety,
- and provide a more sustainable alternative to conventional mineral oil-based lubricants.
Clean air starts with choosing the right lubricant.
