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. 2000 Feb;57(2):121–125. doi: 10.1136/oem.57.2.121

Risk of enzyme allergy in the detergent industry

M Vanhanen 1, T Tuomi 1, U Tiikkainen 1, O Tupasela 1, R Voutilainen 1, H Nordman 1
PMCID: PMC1739908  PMID: 10711280

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/m3, but occasional peak values up to 80 ng/m3 were detected in the packing and maintenance tasks, and high values of >1 µg/m3 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.


Keywords: detergent enzymes; occupational exposure; allergy

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Selected References

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