Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Os colaboradores de empresas do sector metalúrgico e metalomecânico utilizam óleos de
corte, ou fluidos de corte durante o processo produtivo, com o objectivo de facilitar a operação
de corte. Estes óleos oferecem perigosidade à saúde humana e ao meio ambiente.
A contaminação microbiológica, nomeadamente por bactérias e fungos, nos óleos
emulsionados é uma preocupação constante, pois estas podem provocar problemas na saúde
dos colaboradores, incluindo dermatoses. O enfraquecimento das unhas constitui um
sinal/sintoma deste problema.
Neste contexto, e uma vez que são escassos os dados referentes a infecções fúngicas
superficiais em colaboradores das metalomecânicas em Portugal, são necessários estudos que
permitam determinar a sua prevalência e relação com a utilização de óleos de corte.
No período compreendido entre 02 de Agosto de 2007 e 09 de Novembro de 2007 efectuaramse
colheitas de pele e/ou de unhas em duas populações diferentes de metalomecânicas (A e B)
e dos diferentes óleos contidos nas máquinas das metalomecânicas e utilizados pelos
colaboradores. Posteriormente, efectuaram-se análises laboratoriais micológicas nos
Laboratórios da ESB.
Do total de óleos (n = 17), houve confirmação de presença de fungos (culturas positivas) em 14
culturas (82%), sendo 9 óleos da Indústria Metalomecânica A (82%) e 5 (80%) da
Metalomecânica B. Em 3 meios (18%) as culturas foram negativas. Desses, 2 (18%)
pertenciam à Metalomecânica A e 1 (20%) pertencia à Metalomecânica B.
Do total de indivíduos (n = 205), houve confirmação micológica de dermatomicoses (culturas
positivas) em 176 culturas (86%). Em 29 casos (14%) os resultados foram negativos.
De um total de 175 indivíduos com culturas positivas, 61 (35%) apresentam sinal de
dermatoses – só culturas positivas.
Os fungos mais frequentes nos óleos de corte foram também os mais frequentes nas unhas:
Rhodotorula mucilaginosa e Pichia guilliermondii.
Não foi possível avaliar com exactidão se a exposição a óleos de corte provoca a ocorrência de
dermatoses.
Employees of companies in the metallurgical and mechanical sector use cutting oil or cutting fluids during the production process, in order to facilitate the cutting operation. These oils offer danger to human health and the environment. Microbiological contamination, particularly by bacteria and fungi, in emulsified oils is a concern, as these can cause health problems in employees, including dermatoses. The weakning of the nails is a sign / symptom of this problem. In this context, and since data concerning superficial fungal infections in employees of metalworking is scarce in Portugal, there is a need to determine its prevalence and relation to use of such cutting oils Between 02 August and 09 November 2007 samples of skin and / or nails of two different populations of metalworking plants (A and B) and different oils contained in the metalworking machinery and used by employees were collected and analysed for mycological contamination at ESB Labs. Of the total oil samples (n = 17), there was confirmation of the presence of fungi (positive cultures) in 14 cultures (82%), with 9 oils used in the Metalworking A (82%) and 5 (80%) used in the Metalworking B. In three samples (18%) the cultures were negative (or inconclusive). Of these, two (18%) were oils from Metalworking A and one (20%) was from Metalworking B. Of the total nail/skin samples analysed (n = 205), there was mycological confirmation of dermatomycoses (positive cultures) in 176 cultures (86%). In 29 samples (14%) the cultures were negative. Of the total of 175 individuals with positive cultures, 61 (35%) had signs of skin diseases - only positive cultures. The most common fungi in cutting oils were also the most frequent nails: Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Pichia guilliermondii. It was not possible to accurately assess whether exposure to cutting oils causes the occurrence of skin diseases.
Employees of companies in the metallurgical and mechanical sector use cutting oil or cutting fluids during the production process, in order to facilitate the cutting operation. These oils offer danger to human health and the environment. Microbiological contamination, particularly by bacteria and fungi, in emulsified oils is a concern, as these can cause health problems in employees, including dermatoses. The weakning of the nails is a sign / symptom of this problem. In this context, and since data concerning superficial fungal infections in employees of metalworking is scarce in Portugal, there is a need to determine its prevalence and relation to use of such cutting oils Between 02 August and 09 November 2007 samples of skin and / or nails of two different populations of metalworking plants (A and B) and different oils contained in the metalworking machinery and used by employees were collected and analysed for mycological contamination at ESB Labs. Of the total oil samples (n = 17), there was confirmation of the presence of fungi (positive cultures) in 14 cultures (82%), with 9 oils used in the Metalworking A (82%) and 5 (80%) used in the Metalworking B. In three samples (18%) the cultures were negative (or inconclusive). Of these, two (18%) were oils from Metalworking A and one (20%) was from Metalworking B. Of the total nail/skin samples analysed (n = 205), there was mycological confirmation of dermatomycoses (positive cultures) in 176 cultures (86%). In 29 samples (14%) the cultures were negative. Of the total of 175 individuals with positive cultures, 61 (35%) had signs of skin diseases - only positive cultures. The most common fungi in cutting oils were also the most frequent nails: Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Pichia guilliermondii. It was not possible to accurately assess whether exposure to cutting oils causes the occurrence of skin diseases.
Description
Keywords
Óleos de corte Dermatomicoses Fungos Cutting oils Dermatomycoses Fungi