Current best practice for the health surveillance of enzyme workers in the soap and detergent industry

Abstract

This study defines current best practice for the health surveillance of workers who are potentially exposed to enzymes in the manufacture of enzymatic detergent products. It is recommended that health surveillance is performed 6-monthly for the first 2 years and annually thereafter. The health surveillance programme should include a respiratory questionnaire to detect symptoms, assessment of lung function to detect pre-symptomatic changes and an immunological test to detect specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) to enzymes. The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease respiratory questionnaire should be used since it has been validated extensively for detecting asthma. Operators should observe the American Thoracic Society performance criteria for spirometers and standardized procedures for conducting spirometry. Since current airborne monitoring techniques for enzymes do not detect short-duration peak exposures, the incidence of employee sensitizations remains the most reliable measure of the integrity of environmental control. The Pepys skin prick test has been validated as a sensitive, specific and practical test for detecting specific IgE to many inhalant allergens including enzymes. For newly sensitized workers, a multi-cause investigation should be conducted to identify potential sources of exposure. Group results of immunological test results assist in the evaluation of workplace control measures, and should be used to monitor the effectiveness of hygiene and engineering programmes and to help prioritize areas for improvement. Positive responses to a questionnaire or abnormal spirometry should be assessed further. Occupational asthma should be excluded in any case of adult-onset asthma that starts or deteriorates during working life. This is particularly important because an accurate diagnosis of occupational asthma with early avoidance of exposure to its cause can result in remission of symptoms and restoration of lung function.

Occupational rhinitis

“…Medical surveillance programs should include the following components (93, 96, 97): (i) preplacement and periodic administration of a questionnaire aimed at detecting work‐related symptoms; (ii) detection of sensitization to occupational agents by means of skin prick tests or serum specific IgE antibodies when these tests are available and standardized; (iii) early referral of symptomatic and/or sensitized workers for specialized medical assessment, including NPT in the laboratory and/or at the workplace (24); and (iv) investigation of possible asthma in all workers with confirmed OR.…”

Proteolytic enzyme sensitivity and decrease in respiratory function (a 10-year follow-up)

“…Nicholson et al [12] recommend health checks for employees of detergent and soap factories once every 6 months for the first 2 years and, subsequently, once a year. Here, the aim is the early diagnosis of these occupational diseases.…”

A cross-sectional study among detergent workers exposed to liquid detergent enzymes

“…The questionnaire was based on items described in the detergent industry9 and some of the questionnaire items were taken from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS).…”