Mist Collection For Health Hazard Reduction And Cost Saving

Mists are liquid droplets that are less than 20 microns in diameter. Mist collectors are air handling systems designed to separate the tiny droplets from a facility’s air.

Mist droplets are comprised of the water and oil coolants and cutting fluids used during machining operations.

They often also contain a number of chemicals that a machining operation may give off or generate. These may be things like carbon monoxide, acetone, benzene, methanol or ethyl alcohol, microorganisms, carcinogens, toxins or allergens and other irritants.

Unfortunately, once airborne, mists may be inhaled by workers. These droplets are smaller than a single white blood cell (about 25 microns). This means they are small enough to enter your alveoli, the tiny passages in the lungs. This may pose breathing hazards in the short term.

Prolonged exposure can result in chronic breathing ailments and respiratory disease. Metalworker-Coughing. Additionally, absorbing certain chemicals may cause cancer, toxicity or an allergic reaction.

Mists may be absorbed in other ways as well. Aerosolized droplets that settle on the skin, in the eyes or on other mucous membranes can cause irritation and inflammation. They may also lead to contact dermatitis, skin acne or dermal infections.

Aside from direct contact, mists that collect on surfaces inside of a facility pose problems as well. Exposure to contaminated surfaces can cause not only injuries from slips and falls but also skin irritation through contact.

THE RISKS OF MISTS ARE NOT JUST HUMAN HAZARDS.

Dirty machines, surfaces and ducts degrade operations over time.

Mist covered precision machinery may cause downtime for servicing and repair.

Dirty ductwork needs cleaning or replacement.

Dirty facilities transfer contamination onto products causing corrosion, fouling or part corruption.

The results. Lost time and productivity.

MIST COLLECTORS CAN REMOVE MISTS BEFORE THEY BECOME A PROBLEM.

A mist collector captures mists at or near their source and keeps them out of the circulating air.

They can effectively reduce or eliminate worker exposure to mists and minimize the need to deal with mists collected on surfaces. Besides, mist collectors help ensure facilities meet OSHA sets standards for indoor air quality.

In addition to helping maintain clean and healthy facilities, mist collectors that recycle valuable cutting and cooling fluids also save facilities money.

Systems, such as The Stealth X series and the Eliminator by Filtra-Systems, are designed to separate contaminants from the mist and recycle fluid. This allows coolants to be reused continuously until the fluid breaks down. This reduces fluid consumption upstream. Downstream, it also reduces costs associated with disposing potentially of hazardous materials.

MIST COLLECTORS OFFER MANY BENEFITS TO METALWORKING FACILITIES.

First and foremost, they reduce or eliminate human hazards due to mist exposure. However, they also help maintain a clean facility which minimizes service and housekeeping costs.

And, a huge added bonus is the cost savings realized with a mist collection system that recycles metalworking fluids while also improving parts quality.

For more info about the Stealth X Series mist collectors, click here

To determine if a mist collection system is right for your metalworking facility, give us a call and talk to one of our mist collection experts. 248-427-9090.