MOSH and MOAH - an important topic for food and raw material suppliers

What is MOSH & MOAH?

MOSH - Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons
MOAH - Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons

What effects can they have on human health?

MOSH - The human body can intake MOSH which can be detected in certain organs (liver) but the relevance for the human body is not clear yet.

MOAH - Some of these substances can cause cancer. It is however not possible to specify whether the daily intake of these substances is too high, as there is no existing health-based guidance value for MOAH.

What is the acceptable limit for daily consumption of MOSH and MOAH?

Up to date, there are no official standards, laws nor regulation that provides guideline for limit values. EU-commission defined in August 2020 an action-level for the assessment of MOAH in baby food. Detection limit is 1 mg per MOA H-fraction per kg but still no legally binding limit value.

Mineral oils are complex mixtures of hydrocarbons and MOSH & MOAH are two fractions which can be found in this mixture. All lubricants including H1 food grade lubricants contain a certain amount of MOSH & MOAH but some contain more than others.

H1 products and MOSH

• White oils are composed of saturated hydrocarbons with chain length mainly > 25 and therefore might contain harmful MOSH compounds
• PAOs and other synthetic H1 oils are not based on MOSH compounds, however differentiation with analytical tools is difficult and they may contain trace elements

H1 products and MOAH

• White Oils (H1 registered) are not based on MOAH compounds, unlike technical mineral oils can contain harmful carcinogens
• Synthetic H1 are not based on compounds which contain MOAH but there may be trace elements which are difficult to measure

What if the customer asks for a MOSH and MOAH free lubricants?

• It is equally difficult for a lubricant manufacturer and a food manufacturer to totally eliminate MOSH & MOAH as there are many possible contamination sources such as, packaging, raw material etc and the actual limit of the analytic methodology.
• Some lubricant manufacturers claim they can supply MOSH and MOAH free lubricants however test laboratories are still trying to perfect the methods of obtaining repeatable results as trace amounts are extremely difficult to detect in lubricants.

If labs cannot detect precise levels then how can this claim be made as to MOSH and MOAH free!


Summary

Using our knowledge of this topic and experience of lubrication in all industries, not just food, we help our customers identify and minimize possible contamination to support food safety by conducting a production line and utilities audit.

These solutions often have additional, measurable benefits such as energy savings, reduced lubricant consumption and increased component life that support operating cost reductions.

Klüber Lubrication SEA can support you by providing training for you and your customers to help create a better understanding on the problem and the solution.

Written by:
Callum MacLeod, Regional Market Manager (Food Industry)