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Carcinogenicity of Mineral Oils

In the mind of the public, the term mineral oil is closely associated with the highly refined white mineral oils that are used in pharmaceutical preparations and things such as tanning and baby oils. Actually mineral oil is a generic term that covers a diverse range of petroleum products. In terms of volume and use, white mineral oil constitutes a small fraction of the total production of all types of mineral oils. The anti-friction properties of mineral oils account for their predominant use as industrial and automotive lubricants. In addition to reducing friction, mineral oils have important secondary properties that make them useful for such things as heat transfer fluids, cutting oils, and corrosion inhibitors. The use of mineral oils is widespread and the potential for human exposure is high. This necessitates careful evaluation of the carcinogenic properties of the various types of mineral oils to which workers are exposed. In the occupational environment, the potential risks of exposure to fuel oils are similar to those of mineral oils, and a discussion of the hazards of mineral oils applies to fuel oils and related petroleum products. The carcinogenic properties of mineral oils were uncovered in the early 1900s by epidemiologic studies of workers in the cotton-spinning industries of the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States (for reviews see Bingham’ and IARCZ). In these cases the source of exposure was a device known as a spinning mule, which required lubrication with mineral oil. Operators of spinning mules, called mule spinners, suffered an excess of scrota1 and skin cancer. Over the last 75 years, epidemiologic studies conducted in various industrialized countries have conclusively demonstrated excess cancer in many workers (such as machinists, who are chronically exposed to mineral oils). In addition, experimental studies involving fractionation and chemical separation and subsequent testing of fractions in experimental animals have provided important information regarding the carcinogenic potential of certain petroleum fractions and products derived thereof.