Short communication, Note
Bacterial Pollution of Cutting Fluids: A Risk Factor for Occupational Diseases
Slavica Jakšić
Sunčica Uhitil
Josip Živković
Abstract
An outbreak of occupational diseases involving 38 metal workers with local infections on the hands and the face (53%), bronchitis (29%), and bronchopneumonia (18%) urged an examination of 150 samples of emulsions which the 38 workers used in processing metals. Among the isolated bacteria, the most frequent was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (48%), followed by Escherichia coli (44%), Proteus spp. (11%), Enterococcus faecalis (9%), Enterobacter aerogenes (7%), Citrobacter spp. (5%), Shigella spp., Staphylococcus aureus (3%), and the sulphite reducing Clostridia (1%). Moulds and yeasts were isolated from all tested samples. Most samples counted about 3x105/ml of colony forming units. It was concluded that all emulsions and other substances which come in direct contact with the workers should be regularly monitored. Furthermore, preservatives should be added to prevent microbial infection.
Keywords
aerogenous infections; bacterial pollution; cutting fluids; metal workers; microbial agents; occupational diseases; occupational exposure; Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Hrčak ID:
3281
URI
Publication date:
1.4.1999.
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