By Tim Sullivan
 
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists will hold an October symposium on the health effects of metalworking fluids – a meeting described by the organization and observers alike as important to the writing of revised caps on exposure to oil mist concentrations.
 
The association has previously drawn criticism from industry for recommending lower limits for workplace exposures to mineral oil and metalworking fluid mist and for advising that mineral oils be classified as carcinogens. An official said the symposium, scheduled Oct. 2-4 in Cincinnati, Ohio, will provide a forum to share the latest research on those subjects.
 
“Basically what we’ve arranged is an exchange of information,” Kristin Szava said. “We have a very open process and we want input from all sides – industry, labor, academia. This is meant to be an educational forum.”
 
Industry has criticized the association in the past for meeting in private and without input from businesses affected by their recommendations. Some, at least, call the symposium a better approach.
 
“My impression is that they are trying to be educated and do the right thing,” said Castrol Industrial Americas’ Daniel Goon, chairman of the Metalworking Fluids Product Stewardship Group of the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association. “I think this is a recognition of some of the objections they’ve encountered in the past, and I think it’s a good development.”
 
The ACGIH has published titles of 29 papers to be presented at the event by a list of presenters that is broad and deep. The field includes representatives from ExxonMobil, Lubrizol’s Gateway Additives, Citgo, Milicron, General Motors, Ford, ILMA, several universities, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the United Auto Workers.
 
Registration costs $845, $745 for ACGIH members. For information: Anita Schmid, (513) 742-6163, ext. 101. The course agenda, speakers and abstracts and registration information can be found online at www.acgih.org