Persistence of N-nitrosodiethanolamine contamination in American metal-working lubricants

• Published in: Food and chemical toxicology Vol. 28; no. 7; pp. 531 - 534
• Main Authors: Keefer, L.K., Goff, U., Stevens, J., Bennett, E.O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 1990; New York, NY Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Carcinogenesis, carcinogens and anticarcinogens; Chemical agents; Diethylnitrosamine - analysis; Humans; Lubrication; Medical sciences; Metallurgy; Occupational Diseases - chemically induced; Occupational Diseases - prevention & control; Occupational Exposure; Petroleum - analysis; Tumors; TEA; NDiPLA; HPLC; NDELA; Human; Carcinogen; Toxicity; Nitrosamine; Cutting oil; Metallurgical industry; Occupational exposure; Lubricant
• ISSN: 0278-6915; 1873-6351
• DOI: 10.1016/0278-6915(90)90124-6

The potent carcinogen N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) was discovered as a contaminant of commercial metal-working lubricants over a decade ago. To determine whether or not improvements in industrial practice suggested in the meantime have eliminated this contamination from United States products, a selection of cutting fluids obtained from the current marketplace was analysed for NDELA content. All six semi-synthetic fluids examined contained NDELA at levels ranging from 0.5 to 4.3 ppm. Three of six petroleum-based lubricants and five of six synthetics also contained significant NDELA (when analysed at a detection limit of 0.03 ppm), at levels of up to 0.16 and 55 ppm, respectively. The mean concentrations were 1.5 ppm for the semi-synthetics, 0.07 ppm for the petroleum-based products, and 11.4 ppm for the synthetic metal-working fluids. While these levels are far below the values of 1–2% by weight (10,000–20,000 ppm) found in some contaminated products 13 years ago, they may nevertheless pose a continuing health risk for the machinists who work with them.