Observations on the relationship between triazines and mycobacteria in metal removal fluids.

The purpose of the study was to determine whether hexahydrotriazine ("triazine") bactericides increase the likelihood of elevated mycobacteria growth in metal removal fluids (MRFs). In reaction to an outbreak of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) at a transmission manufacturing facility, machining plants of a large automobile manufacturer were directed to increase the testing of MRF, especially testing for mycobacteria. A working hypothesis was developed that triazine bactericides cause an increase in mycobacteria contamination, which in turn may lead to an increased risk of HP for workers exposed to MRF aerosols.