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 microgram/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.
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 microgram/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.
Authors: G M Liss; J R Kominsky; J S Gallagher; J Melius; S M Brooks; I L Bernstein Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 1984-03 Impact factor: 10.793
Authors: M Vanhanen; T Tuomi; U Tiikkainen; O Tupasela; A Tuomainen; R Luukkonen; H Nordman Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2001-02 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: David A Basketter; Francis H Kruszewski; Sophie Mathieu; Donald Bruce Kirchner; Anthony Panepinto; Mark Fieldsend; Volker Siegert; Fiona Barnes; Robert Bookstaff; Merete Simonsen; Beth Concoby Journal: J Occup Environ Hyg Date: 2015 Impact factor: 2.155