Lack of type 1 sensitization to laundry detergent enzymes among consumers in the Philippines: results of a 2-year study in atopic subjects.
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.
Cormier
Ethel M
EM
The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio 45253-8707, USA.
Sarlo
Katherine
K
Scott
Laurie A
LA
MacKenzie
David P
DP
Payne
Nicholas S
NS
Carr
Gregory J
GJ
Smith
Laurence A
LA
Cua-Lim
Felicidad
F
Bunag
Filipino C
FC
Vasunia
Kersi
K
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
D003902:Detergents; D000681:Amylases; D010450:Endopeptidases