Prevention of Work-related Asthma: Study Search Results

Study Details
Prevention LevelPrimary
AuthorCathcart
Study Year1997
CountryUK
Molecular Weight of AgentHMW
CategoryBiological enzyme
AgentDetergent enzyme
OccupationDetergent industry workers (Includes cohort reported by Flindt, 1969 and Juniper, 1977)
Outcome/DiagnosisOccupational asthma
Activity InterventionEncapsulation of enzyme, atmospheric dust and enzyme monitoring, and health surveillance according to SDIA guidelines (1969) Health surveillance was biannual during first two years of employment and annual thereafter. Health surveillance included: relevant symptoms since last examination, smoking history, assessment of lung function. Both skin-prick test and chest radiograph were largely withdrawn as exclusion criteria (1980's) where pre-employment exclusion now relies on clinical judgement of the physician.
Participation RateA total of 731 workers subject to respiratory health surveillance Limitation: no report of participation rate
Intervention EffectivenessAverage workplace enzyme level dropped from 100.0 ng enzyme/m3 air in 1969 to approximately 1.0 ng enzyme/m3 air in 1976 staying roughly stable through 1993 (below SDIA guidelines). Compared to 144 OA cases that occurred from 1969-1975, 22 cases of OA occurred from 1976-1993. Declines in FEV1 and FVC were not associated with enzyme exposure.
Page last reviewed: May 25, 2022