Formaldehyde Release Biocides: A Comparison of Airborne Formaldehyde Measurements to Predicted Values in a Machining Environment

摘要

The objective of this study was to measure formaldehyde present in the atmosphere of a machine shop using a water-based emulsion metalworking fluid containing the formaldehyde-releasing antimicrobial agent methylenebismorpholine. Measured formaldehyde values were compared to estimated atmospheric values calculated from vapor-liquid equilibrium (evaporative) and aerosol (mist) generation. Good correlation was observed between calculated and measured values of atmospheric formaldehyde concentration for metalworking operations using methylenebismorpholine. Further, atmospheric formaldehyde levels were several orders of magnitude below current occupational exposure limits (OEL). The findings provide valuable insight for minimizing exposure to formaldehyde in machining environments that use formaldehyde condensate antimicrobial agents.