b'The smaller the particle, the more difficult it is to clean the air.A Fluid Situation (0.0004") in diameter. presents a filtration challenge.On the other hand, high-speedThe smaller the particle, the more processes likely cause a lot of heat,difficult it is to clean the air. More ef-Oil mist characteristics vary ac- creating thermally generated drop- ficient filters therefore are needed cordingtothetypeofoilandlets. It vaporizes the liquid, which re- to mitigate the problem.themachiningprocess.Petro- sults in aerosols that tend to be less leum-basedoiltendstopro- than 1 m (0.00004") in size. This oilSlip and Slideducemoresolidparticulates, mist usually looks more like smokeThe most obvious, immediate as well as aerosolized oil particles,and is harder to filter than mechani- safety issue occurs when oil mist than other metalworking fluids, cre- cally generated droplets. causes workers to slip and fall. It ating a dirtier oil mist. As the speed of production con- often hangs in the air before form-Low-speed cutting and grindingtinues to increase and cycle timesing a layer of grease on floors and produce relatively large, mechani- decrease, more heat is being cre- other surfaces. Heavy oil mist drop-cally generated particles that areated. That means there are morelets coalesce as they cool and fall easy to collect in filters and conse- processes in which mists are gener- onto horizontal surfaces.quently of less concern. The par- ated thermally, resulting in smallerOil mist also poses health prob-ticles are generally about 10 mparticles than before. This changelems when inhaled. This risk varies 50APRIL 2020 ShopSafety.indd 50 3/16/20 4:56 PM'