Risk of enzyme allergy in the detergent industry. Issue 2 (1st February 2000)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vanhanen, Markku; Tuomi, Timo; Tiikkainen, Ulla; Tupasela, Outi; Voutilainen, Risto; Nordman, Henrik
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 57:Issue 2(2000)
• Page Start: 121
• Page End: 125
• Publication Date: 2000-02-01
• Subjects: detergent enzymes -- occupational exposure -- allergy; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/oem.57.2.121
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of enzyme sensitisation in the detergent industry. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted in a detergent factory. Sensitisation to enzymes was examined by skin prick and radioallergosorbent (RAST) tests. 76 Workers were tested; 40 in manufacturing, packing, and maintenance, and 36 non-exposed people in management and sales departments. The workers were interviewed for work related respiratory and skin symptoms. Total dust concentrations were measured by a gravimetric method, and the concentration of protease in air by a catalytic method. RESULTS: Nine workers (22%) were sensitised to enzymes in the exposed group of 40, whereas none were sensitised in the non-exposed group. All the sensitised people had symptoms at work; all had rhinitis and one had asthma. Protease concentrations were generally <20 ng/m 3, but occasional peak values up to 80 ng/m 3 were detected in the packing and maintenance tasks, and high values of >1 μg/m 3 in the mixing area. CONCLUSION: Despite the use of encapsulated enzyme preparations, high enzyme concentrations in workplace air are possible, resulting in a higher risk of sensitisation than expected.