Formaldehyde
Dear friends,
Attention machine shop owners! You might have noticed advertisements in trade magazines from various metalworking fluid manufactures, claiming their fluids don’t contain formaldehyde (Triazine or HHT). So… your probably wondering what’s the big deal right now with formaldehyde and what does it mean for me, my company (and most importantly) the people that I employ? To start, let me give you a little background on the topic at hand. Triazine- trade name-Grotan; has been and still is a widely used broad spectrum biocide in the metal removal fluid industry. Hexahydro-1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethl)-s-Triazine or HHT, is classified as a formaldehyde releasing condensate. HHT is a very effective, low cost broad spectrum biocide for metalworking fluid formulators to use. HHT has been used in metal removal fluids for many years.
Recently formaldehyde was moved by IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) from a “Group 2A”, (Probably Carcinogenic to Humans) to a “Group 1 status”, (Carcinogenic to Humans). Along with this ruling from IARC; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Toxicology Program (NPT) the 12th Report on Carcinogens (12th RoC), has ruled formaldehyde as “Know to be a Human Carcinogen”. So as you can see this is not good news for biocide manufactures or metalworking fluid formulators. Many metalworking fluid manufactures are scrambling to reformulate their various metal removal fluids, while others are claiming that they have never used formaldehyde in any of their formulations in the first place.
So what’s the truth and what does this mean for me?
In my opinion, I would anticipate metalworking fluids to become more expensive due to the higher costs of non-formaldehyde based biocides. Metalworking fluid manufactures will have to reformulate, and by thus doing so, some products which contained Triazine may no longer be available in the future. This could lead to machine shops that use a particular fluid due to a manufacturer specific approval; i.e. aerospace and medical approvals, searching to find a new fluid which is on the approved list for use. Unfortunately for the customer the eventual ban on Triazine will mean higher cost and reduced fluid life expectancy. This is due in part to the decreased effectiveness of biocide choices made available for formulators to work with.
So… what do I do now?
My advice would be, get informed. Become educated on the issue; discuss with your current fluid supplier the chemical properties of your current fluid. Ask yourself this; what are the long term ramifications of continuing the use of a fluid which contains Triazine? Last but not least; take into consideration the health and safety aspects not only for you, but also for your employees. After all, we all want to work in a safe and healthy environment.
Stay tuned for more useful coolant related tips, from The Coolant Guy!
Best regards,
Brett Reynolds, CMFS
Brett Reynolds, “The Coolant Guy” works for Blaser Swisslube Inc.
If you would like more useful information regarding metalworking fluids, or would like to find out more information about Blaser metalworking fluid products,
Please contact Brett at 801-722-4095 or via
theoilbaronbulletin@blogspot.com
The Oil Baron Bulletin is not affiliated with Blaser Swisslube Inc. or its subsidiaries
