What Are Oil Mist & Oil Smoke?

Oil mist and oil smoke is generated from a number of various manufacturing operations. Before we can take the correct measures to overcome the risks and harm that these substances cause, we need to know specifically what oil mist and oil smoke really are.

In the manufacturing industry, oil mist arises especially during metal-cutting machining, which is a comprehensive term for turning, milling, grinding and boring, etc. Oil mist arises when oil or water mixed with concentrated cutting fluid, so-called emulsion, is used for cooling, lubricating or chip removal.

With high speed and pressure, the oil drops get very small (‹1 µm) and the amount of oil in the air is often high. In such operations, oil smoke occurs in a larger scale.

As machining operations are carried out, these fluids are emitted in the form of aerosols and smoke to the surrounding air. It is, of course, unhealthy to breathe these substances.