[Effects of dusts on workers' health in enzyme production plants].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the health effects of dusts in enzyme production plants.


METHODS
The concentration of enzyme-containing dusts, the enzyme and the wheat-containing dusts and their health effects on workers were investigated in three enzyme production plants. Air samples were collected by high volume sampler and personal sampler. Total dust was weighed and its content of enzyme was analyzed by enzyme activity method. Health effects were assessed by the questionnaire, the pulmonary function and the skin prick test.


RESULTS
It was found that the geometric mean of enzyme-containing dust was 8.91 mg/m(3), the industrial enzyme was 1.68 mg/m(3), and the wheat-containing dust was 6.93 mg/m(3). The enzyme-containing dust higher than 20 mg/m(3) caused eye symptoms. The wheat-containing dust at 6.93 mg/m(3) might result in skin and nose symptoms. The sensitization could be observed in enzyme and wheat exposed workers.


CONCLUSIONS
Adverse effects may arise for the health of the workers if the concentration of enzyme-containing dusts and the wheat-containing dusts is up to a certain limit and it is necessary to make the limit of these indexes.
Zhu
Ju-yi
JY
Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Lei
Ling
L
Huang
Wen-yan
WY
Lian
Hai-quan
HQ
Zhang
Bo
B
Tang
Ying
Y
Liang
You-xin
YX
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000418:Albumins / Q000009:adverse effects; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004798:Enzymes / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012882:Skin Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014908:Triticum
D000418:Albumins; D004391:Dust; D004798:Enzymes