title: Lack of type 1 sensitization to laundry detergent enzymes among consumers in the Philippines: results of a 2-year study in atopic subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Enzymes have been safely used in laundry products for many years. The risk of developing adverse responses to enzymes in laundry detergents among consumers in countries where hand laundry predominates is expected to be low.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To understand how consumers in hand laundry markets used detergent products; to show that use of enzyme-containing detergents did not lead to sensitization in an atopic population with compromised skin; and to show that enzyme detergents did not have an adverse effect on skin condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women in the rural Philippines were chosen since they do hand laundry for several hours a day, every day. The skin prick test (SPT) tested for the presence of IgE antibody to common aeroallergens and to enzymes in detergent product. Atopic women used enzyme-containing laundry bars for hand laundry and personal cleansing. They also used enzyme-containing laundry granules for hand laundry. All subjects were evaluated by SPT with enzymes over 2 years. Hand and body skin conditions were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the 1,980 subjects screened for eligibility into the 2-year study were SPT positive to enzymes, including 655 women who used enzyme-containing detergent for up to 1 year. None of the subjects in the study developed IgE to the enzymes. Enzymes had no adverse effect on skin condition or on the development of erosions on the hands.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 2-year study confirms that enzymes are safe for use in laundry products at or below levels tested in the study even when used by atopic consumers under extremely harsh conditions.
authors.affiliation: The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio 45253-8707, USA.
authors.forename: Ethel M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Cormier
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sarlo
authors.forename: Laurie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: MacKenzie
authors.forename: Nicholas S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Laurence A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Felicidad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cua-Lim
authors.forename: Filipino C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Bunag
authors.forename: Kersi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vasunia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000681:Amylases / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D003902:Detergents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010679:Philippines; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D003902:Detergents; D000681:Amylases; D010450:Endopeptidases