METALWORKING FLUIDS
The continued importance of antimicrobial pesticides for controlling microbial contamination in industrial process fluids and systems
Frederick J. Passman, PhD, FASTM, FSTLE, CMFS, President, Biodeterioration Control Associates, Inc.
Although the history of biocidal agents is nearly as old as civilisation (there is evidence that copper and mercury use date back at least 3,000 years), the era of organic biocide production began in the late 19th century with the use of hindered phenols (for example, orthophenylphenol) as surface contact disinfectants. Microbicides have been used to preserve and disinfect water-miscible metalworking fluids (MWF) since the 1950s. It was not until the 1980s that MWF compounders recognised the benefits of microbicide use. When I first consulted to the MWF sector in 1982, most of my clients were convinced that they had odor but not microbial contamination problems. Only once MWF was designated as a hazardous waste did end-users embrace the use of biocides to help increase their MWF’s functional life. By the end of the decade, many facilities that had been draining and changing out their MWF every eight to twelve weeks in the early 1980s were enjoying years of operations without having to drain, clean, and recharge their systems. Biocides alone were not responsible for this transition. The implementation of fluid management protocols and development of more biostable MWF contributed substantially to improved MWF performance life.
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Legislation.gov.uk,
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/880/made/data.pdf Continued on page 10 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.181 JUNE 2024 9
What are biocides? The EU’s Biocidal Products Regulations (BPR – The Biocidal Products Regulations 20011
defines a biocidal
product as “an active substance or a preparation containing one or more active substances, in the form in which it is supplied to the user, intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, prevent the action of, or otherwise exert a controlling effect on, any harmful organism by chemical or biological means.” An active substance is “a substance or micro-organism having a general or specific action on or against harmful organisms.” Finally, a treated product is “any substance, mixture or article which has been treated with, or intentionally incorporates, one or more biocidal products.” BPR Schedule 1 assigns all biocides into 23 product-types, divided among four Main Groups. Metalworking-fluid preservatives comprise Product-Type 13 within Main Group 2. The BPR categories do not list a separate category for industrial lubricants and hydraulic fluids.
Deconstructing the BPR’s biocidal product definition, the critical term is intended. As in the U.S., where microbicides are regulated under 40 CFR 152 et seq., the purported use intention determines whether the
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