title: [Health risks in the biotechnological industry].
abstract: Biotechnology has been defined as the application of biological organisms, systems or processes to manufacturing and service industries. In considering health aspects of biotechnological development it must be underlined that the use of microorganisms in traditional industries, such as the production of food, bread, beer and dairy products, has not added significantly to the more usual industrial hazards. The risk factors encountered in the biotechnology industry can be defined as general, i.e., common to other industrial activities, and specific, i.e., depending on the presence of microorganisms and/or their metabolic products. The specific health risks vary according to the type of process, but can be grouped into three main categories: immunological diseases, toxic effects; pathological effects of microorganisms. Allergic immunological diseases such as bronchial asthma, contact dermatitis, oculo-rhinitis and extrinsic allergic alveolitis are by far the most frequent and well known diseases occurring among workers employed on biotechnological production. Toxic effects were observed among workers employed on the production of antibiotics and hormones or single cell proteins, where absorption of endotoxins has been described. Infectious diseases may arise from uncontrolled dissemination of pathogenic microorganisms through aerosols, dusts, aqueous and semisolid sludge effluents from biotechnological plants. The greatest risks occur in the production of antiviral vaccines, in research laboratories and in waste-water treatment plants. Risk of pathogenic effects has also been speculated from exposure to engineered microorganisms in laboratory and environmental or agricultural applications. Safety precautions consisting of protective measures, and effective barriers of containment (both physical and biological) have to be advised according to the hazardous characteristics of the organisms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colombi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maroni
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Foà
mesh_terms: D001709:Biotechnology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology; D011041:Poisoning / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors
vernacular_title: Gesundheitsrisiken in der biotechnologischen Industrie.