title: Managing the Risk of Occupational Allergy in the Enzyme Detergent Industry.
abstract: Enzyme proteins have potential to cause occupational allergy/asthma. Consequently, as users of enzymes in formulated products, detergents manufacturers have implemented a number of control measures to ensure that the hazard does not translate into health effects in the workforce. To that end, trade associations have developed best practice guidelines which emphasize occupational hygiene and medical monitoring as part of an effective risk management strategy. The need for businesses to recognize the utility of this guidance is reinforced by reports where factories which have failed to follow good industrial hygiene practices have given rise to incidences of occupational allergy. In this article, an overview is provided of how the industry guidelines are actually implemented in practice and what experience is to be derived therefrom. Both medical surveillance and air monitoring practices associated with the implementation of industry guidelines at approximately 100 manufacturing facilities are examined. The data show that by using the approaches described for the limitation of exposure, for the provision of good occupational hygiene and for the active monitoring of health, the respiratory allergenic risk associated with enzyme proteins can be successfully managed. This therefore represents an approach that could be recommended to other industries contemplating working with enzymes.
authors.affiliation: a DABMEB Consultancy Ltd. , Sharnbrook , Bedfordshire , United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Basketter
authors.forename: Francis H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Kruszewski
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mathieu
authors.forename: Donald Bruce
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Kirchner
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Panepinto
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fieldsend
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Siegert
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bookstaff
authors.forename: Merete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simonsen
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Concoby
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis; D002617:Chemical Industry; D003902:Detergents; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D004798:Enzymes; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D003902:Detergents; D004798:Enzymes
keywords: IgE allergy; consumer products; detergents; enzymes; industrial hygiene; occupational allergy; occupational hygiene; risk assessment