Patologia respiratória alérgica em trabalhadores expostos a detergentes enzimáticos: estudo retrospectivo

SUMMARYThe proteolytic enzymes derived from Bacillus subtilis, usually denominated subtilisines, were first put into market in Holland in 1963 as detergents’ additives. Its catalising qualities have been used to enhance cleaning effectiveness of detergents as well as to facilitate the removal of proteic stains.Due to its own protein structure, the enzyme dust released and inhaled in working places may develop immunological sensitization and provoking allergic respiratory pathology. This effect may be potentiated by the dust of detergents.The acknowledgement of the possible effects of enzyme dust inhalation detected in 1968 have led to the adoption of corrective measures so as to restrain workers exposure to the aforementioned enzyme dust.The effectiveness of these measures, as far as the reduction of harmful effects on workers’ health are concerned, has not yet been given proper assessment. Lever factory has been producing enzyme detergents since 1971.The various changes in the working environment that have occurred since then, may have caused some effects on the worker health.Nevertheless, some of the workers exposed to enzyme dust of detergents do not show any signs of allergic pathology. This may depend on either individual factors or different level of exposure or even both.The purpose of this work is to study the factor capable of influencing the effects of dust exposure (allergic respiratory pathology) by applying the occupational epidemiologic methodology