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A new study finds that workers exposed to petroleum-derived lubricants face a 38% higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). The risk climbs even further for smokers and those with certain genetic vulnerabilities. Researchers say lung irritation from inhaled lubricant mists may be triggering immune responses that contribute to MS development.
A large Swedish study published in Neurology has found that occupational exposure to petroleum-derived lubricants — think cutting fluids, engine oil, and concrete form oil — is associated with a 38% increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). The study analyzed nearly 3,000 MS cases and over 6,000 controls, making it one of the first to specifically examine this environmental risk factor.
The association didn't stop there. Smokers exposed to these lubricants faced an even greater combined risk, and people lacking a protective gene variant (HLA-A*02:01) also showed stronger associations. Researchers believe inhaled lubricant mists may irritate the lungs and trigger immune responses that, in genetically susceptible individuals, could set MS in motion — similar to the mechanism proposed for smoking.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: MS has no single known cause, and identifying modifiable environmental risk factors is a critical step toward prevention. While this observational study can't prove causation, its consistent dose-response findings suggest that reducing unnecessary exposure to petroleum lubricant mists — already good occupational health practice — may also carry neurological benefits.
