Increases in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content and mutagenicity in a cutting fluid as a consequence of its use

• Published in: International archives of occupational and environmental health 1993-04, Vol.64 (7), p.473-477
• Main Authors: APOSTOLI, P, CRIPPA, M, FRACASSO, M. E, COTTICA, D, ALESSIO, L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Industrial Oils - analysis; Industrial Oils - toxicity; Medical sciences; Mineral Oil - chemistry; Mineral Oil - toxicity; Mutagenicity Tests; Mutagens - analysis; Polycyclic Compounds - analysis; Time Factors; Toxicology; Various organic compounds
• ISSN: 0340-0131; 1432-1246
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00381094

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between the length of time a cutting fluid was used, its content in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and its mutagenic potential. The PAH concentrations were determined by means of a high-resolution gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer in samples of new cutting fluid and in samples used for 3, 6 and 9 months. The following PAHs were measured: phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene+triphenylene, benzo[e]pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene and perylene. Mutagenicity assays were carried out on the aforementioned samples using the Ames test. Salmonella typhimurium TA98 was used as an indicator to show up mutagens capable of inducing frame-shift genetic changes, and Escherichia coli WP2 uvrA was used as an indicator to detect mutagens capable of inducing base pair genetic changes. The mutagenic tests were carried out with and without microsomal activation, using 1:1, 1:10, 1:20 and 1:50 dilutions of cutting fluid samples. An increase in the concentrations of total PAHs over time was observed in the samples of cutting fluid used for 3, 6 and 9 months. The highest percentage increase in PAH concentrations was observed in the 6-month-old sample (10 times the initial concentration, from 45 to 411.8 micrograms of oil). None of the samples were mutagenic to S. typhimurium without metabolic activation or to E. coli with and without metabolic activation. All samples except for the 1:1 diluted sample showed moderate but significant mutagenic activity in the S. typhimurium test with metabolic activation.