ASTM E2148-21

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E2148 − 16 E2148 − 21 An American National Standard
Standard Guide for
Using Documents Related to Metalworking or Metal
Removal Fluid Health and Safety
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2148; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This guide covers information on how to use documents related to health and safety of metalworking and metal removal fluids.
As such, this guide will provide the user with sufficient background information to effectively use the documents listed in Section
2. Documents referenced in this guide are grouped as applicable to producers, to users or to all.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory requirementslimitations prior to use.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
D3519 Test Method for Foam in Aqueous Media (Blender Test) (Withdrawn 2013)
D3601 Test Method for Foam In Aqueous Media (Bottle Test) (Withdrawn 2013)
D7049 Test Method for Metalworking Fluid Aerosol in Workplace Atmospheres
E1302 Guide for Acute Animal Toxicity Testing of Water-Miscible Metalworking Fluids
E1497 Practice for Selection and Safe Use of Water-Miscible and Straight Oil Metal Removal Fluids
E1542 Terminology Relating to Occupational Health and Safety
E1687 Test Method for Determining Carcinogenic Potential of Virgin Base Oils in Metalworking Fluids
E1972 Practice for Minimizing Effects of Aerosols in the Wet Metal Removal Environment (Withdrawn 2017)
E2144 Practice for Personal Sampling and Analysis of Endotoxin in Metalworking Fluid Aerosols in Workplace Atmospheres
E2169 Practice for Selecting Antimicrobial Pesticides for Use in Water-Miscible Metalworking Fluids
E2523 Terminology for Metalworking Fluids and Operations
E2563 Practice for Enumeration of Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacteria in Aqueous Metalworking Fluids by Plate Count Method
E2564 Practice for Enumeration of Mycobacteria in Metalworking Fluids by Direct Microscopic Counting (DMC) Method
E2657 Practice for Determination of Endotoxin Concentrations in Water-Miscible Metalworking Fluids
E2693 Practice for Prevention of Dermatitis in the Wet Metal Removal Fluid Environment
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E34 on Occupational Health and Safety and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E34.50 on Health and
Safety Standards for Metal Working Fluids.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2016Nov. 1, 2021. Published October 2016November 2021. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 20112016
as E2148 - 11b.E2148 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/E2148-16.10.1520/E2148-21.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2148 − 21
E2694 Test Method for Measurement of Adenosine Triphosphate in Water-Miscible Metalworking Fluids
E2889 Practice for Control of Respiratory Hazards in the Metal Removal Fluid Environment
E3265 Guide for Evaluating Water-Miscible Metalworking Fluid Foaming Tendency
2.2 Other Documents:
Management of the Metal Removal Fluid Environment: A Guide to Safe and Efficient Use of Metal Removal Flu-
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ids Management of the Metal Removal Fluid Environment: A Guide to Safe and Efficient Use of Metal Removal Fluids
Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Metalworking Fluids Criteria for a Recommended Standard:
Occupational Exposure to Metalworking Fluids
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Metalworking Fluids: Safety and Health Best Practices Manual Metalworking Fluids: Safety and Health Best Practices Manual
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions and terms relating to this practice,guide, refer to Terminologies D1356, E1542, and E2523.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 endotoxin, n—pyrogenic high molar mass lipopolysaccharide (LPS) complex associated with the cell wall of gram-negative
bacteria.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—
Though endotoxins are pyrogens, not all pyrogens are endotoxins. Endotoxins are specifically detected through a Limulus
Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) test.
3.2.2 metal removal fluids, n—the subset of metalworking fluids that are used for wet machining or grinding to produce the
finished part.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—
Metal removal fluids addressed by this practiceguide include straight or neat oils,oils not intended for further dilution with water,
and water-miscible soluble oils, semisynthetics, and synthetics, which are intended to be diluted with water before use. Metal
removal fluids become contaminated during use in the workplace with a variety of workplace substances including, but not limited
to,to: abrasive particles, tramp oils, cleaners, dirt, metal fines and shavings, dissolved metal and hard water salts, bacteria, fungi,
microbiological decay products, and waste. These contaminants can cause changes in the lubricity and cooling ability of the metal
removal fluid as well as have the potential to adversely affect the health and welfare of employees in contact with the contaminated
metal removal fluid.
3.2.3 mutagenicity index, n—the slope of the dose response curve for mutagenicity in the modified Ames test described in Test
Method E1687.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Application of this guide will provide users with information on how to use the various documents listed in Section 2 related
to health and safety of metalworking and metal removal fluids.
4.2 Users of the documents listed in Section 2 may fall into several categories, such as producers of metalworking or metal
removal fluids, suppliers of raw materials to those producers, users of metalworking or metal removal fluids, and other interested
parties,parties such as non governmental non-governmental organizations.
4.3 While all parties may wish to be generally familiar with all the documents listed in Section 2, producers and users may each
want to focus on certain documents which are directly applicable to them:
4.4 Documents Applicable to Producers:
4.4.1 E1687 Test Method for Determining Carcinogenic Potential of Virgin Base Oils in Metalworking Fluids:
Available from Organization Resources Counselors, Inc., 1910 Sunderland Place, NW, Washington DC 20036 or at http://www.orc-dc.com
Available from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH 45226.
Available from US Occupational Health and Safety Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210 or at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/
metalworkingfluids/metalworkingfluids_manual.html http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/metalworkingfluids/metalworkingfluids_manual.html.
E2148 − 21
4.4.1.1 Test Method E1687 covers a microbiological test procedure based upon the Salmonella mutagenesis assay of Ames et. alet
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al. (see also Maron et al.). It can be used as a screening technique to detect the presence of potential dermal carcinogens in virgin
base oils used in the formulation of metalworking oils. Persons who use this test should be well-versed well versed in the conduct
of the Ames test and conversant with the physical and chemical properties of petroleum products.
4.4.1.2 Producers of metalworking fluids and metal removal fluids should assure themselves that virgin base oils used in the
formulation of neat metalworking and metal removal oils and soluble and semi-synthetic metal removal fluids have an acceptable
mutagenicity index or mutagenic potency index.
4.4.2 E1302 Guide for Acute Animal Toxicity Testing of Water-Miscible Metal Removal Fluids:
4.4.2.1 Guide E1302 defines acute animal toxicity tests and sets forth references for procedures to assess the acute toxicity of
water-miscible metal removal fluids as manufactured.
4.4.2.2 Application of Guide E1302 will provide information on the acute toxicity of water-miscible metal removal fluids and will
assist the user in evaluating the potential health hazards of the fluid and developing appropriate work practices.
4.4.3 E3265 Guide for Evaluating Water-Miscible Metalworking Fluid Foaming Tendency:
4.4.3.1 Guide E3265 provides an overview of foaming tendency evaluation protocols and their appropriate use.
4.4.3.2 Test Methods D3519 and D3601 were withdrawn in 2013. Although each method had some utility, neither method reliably
predicted in-use foaming tendency. Since Test Methods D3519 and D3601 were first adopted several more predictive test protocols
have been developed. However, it is also common knowledge that no single protocol is universally suitable for predicting
water-miscible metalworking fluid (MWF) foaming tendency.
4.4.3.3 There are no generally recognized reference standard fluids (either MWF or foam control additive). Instead, it is important
to include a relevant reference sample in all testing.
4.4.3.4 Guide E3265 summarizes foam forming theory then provides a summary of commonly used foaming test protocols,
including blender, shake, air sparge, and recirculation tests.
4.4.3.5 For each protocol, Guide E3265 explains the testing concept, apparatus needed, a summary of the test process, reporting,
protocol variations, most appropriate applications and advantages, and least appropriate applications and limitations.
4.5 Documents Applicable to Users:
4.5.1 E1497 Practice for Selection and Safe Use of Water-Miscible and Straight Oil Metal Removal Fluids:
4.5.1.1 Practice E1497 sets forth guidelines for the safe use of metal removal fluids, additives, and biocides. This includes product
selection, storage, dispensing, and maintenance.
4.5.1.2 Water-miscible metal removal fluids are typically used at high dilution and dilution rates vary widely. Additionally, there
is potential for exposure to undiluted metal removal fluid as manufactured, as well as metal removal fluid additives and biocides.
4.5.1.3 Straight oils generally consist of a severely solvent-refined or hydro-treated petroleum oil, a synthetic oil, or other oils of
animal or vegetable origin. Straight oils are not intended to be diluted with water prior to use. Additives are often included in
straight oil formulations.
4.5.2 E1972 Practice for Minimizing Effects of Aerosols in the Wet Metal Removal Environment:
4.5.2.1 Practice E1972 sets forth guidelines for minimizing effects of aerosols in the wet metal removal environment.
Ames, B. N.N., et al., Mutation Research, Vol 31, 1975, pp. 347–363.
Maron, D.D., et al., Mutation Research, Vol 113, 1983, pp. 173–215.
E2148 − 21
4.5.2.2 Practice E1972 incorporates all practical means and mechanisms to minimize aerosol generation and to control effects of
aerosols in the wet metal removal environment.
4.5.3 D7049 Test Method for Metal Removal Fluid Aerosol in Workplace Atmospheres:
4.5.3.1 Test Method D7049 covers a procedure for the determination of both total collected particulate matter and extractable mass
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metal removal fluid aerosol concentrations in a range from 0.05 mg/m to 5 mg/m in workplace atmospheres.
4.5.3.2 Test Method D7049 describes a standardized means of collecting worker exposure information that can be compared to
existing exposure databases, using a test method that is also more specific to metal removal fluids.
4.5.4 E2144 Practice for Personal Sampling and Analysis of Endotoxin in Metalworking Fluid Aerosols in Workplace
Atmospheres:
4.5.4.1 Practice E2144 covers quantitative methods for the personal sampling and determination of bacterial endotoxin
concentrations in polydisperse metal removal fluid aerosols in workplace atmospheres. Users should have fundamental knowledge
of microbiological techniques and endotoxin testing.
4.5.4.2 Endotoxins in metal removal fluid aerosols present potential respiratory hazards to workers who inhale them.
4.5.4.3 Users of Practice E2144 may obtain personal exposure data of endotoxin in metal removal fluid aerosols, either on a
short-term or full-shift basis in workplace atmospheres.
4.5.4.4 Practice E2144 gives an estimate of the endotoxin concentration of the sampled atmosphere.
4.5.4.5 Practice E2144 seeks to minimize interlaboratory variation, but does not ensure uniformity of results.
4.5.4.6 It is anticipated that Practice E2144 will facilitate interlaboratory comparisons of airborne endotoxin data from
metalworking fluid atmospheres, particularly metal removal fluid atmosphe
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