Prevention of Work-related Asthma: Study Search Results

Study Details
Prevention LevelPrimary
AuthorLiss
Study Year1984
CountryUSA
Molecular Weight of AgentHMW
CategoryBiological enzyme
AgentBacillus subtilis derived detergent enzyme
OccupationDetergent industry workers (Includes cohort reported by Kominsky, 1981, CDC, 1981)
Outcome/DiagnosisEnzyme sensitization
Activity InterventionEncapsulation of enzyme (1978)
Participation Rate13 of 14 eligible exposed subjects (Participation rate: 93%) Limitation: no report of participation rates for previously exposed and nonexposed workers
Intervention EffectivenessArea concentrations of enzyme dust did not exceed the American College of Governmntal Industrial Hygienists's (ACGIH) threshhold limit value. Enyme-specific sensitization was detected in 3 of 12 currently exposed workers. Positive results for IgG were obtained in 4 of 12 exposed workers and 1 of 2 previously exposed workers, but in none of nonexposed workers (n=9). Personal breathing sampling indicates that these workers had high-dust exposure levels, exceeding industry guidelines.
Page last reviewed: May 25, 2022