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ENZYMES AND HEALTH


INDEX:

Are enzymes safe?
Skin irritations - first aid
Allergy - first aid



 Are enzymes safe?

Products containing enzymes should be handled carefully, as enzymes used in industry can lead to adverse health effects if not properly manipulated. The use of the most recent techniques of enzyme production, together with the simplest rules of industrial hygiene and personal protective equipment, make enzymes safe to be used. Anyway, everyone is involved in the manipulation of enzymes should be aware of the possible adverse health effects of enzymes used in industry. This is even more true if one consider that enzymes are actually massively employed in household products as detergents for washing machines and automatic dishwashers.

Skin Irritation and Allergy are the main risks related to the manipulation of products containing enzymes. As general rule, higher is the concentration and the activity of the enzyme, greater is the risk.



Skin Irritation

 A prolonged contact with proteolitic enzymes (enzymes that break Peptide bonds = Proteases) can lead to irritation of both skin and eyes. Even if non-proteolitic enzymes seem to not be a source of irritation, skin and eye contact with enzyems should be avoided or minimized. Skin irritation from proteolitic enzymes is usually more evident in areas where the skin is broken or already irritated. Also, the irritation appears more frequently in parts of the body where the perspiration is stronger (armpits, groin, hands, feets, etc.). Irritation by proteases may finally occur in those part of the body where the skin rubs against clothes or other objects (facial masks, collars, waists, cuffs, etc.).

Symptoms of irritation on skin are the presence of reddish areas, and they should be not confused with Allergy.

FIRST AID : flush with plenty of water, then wash with a mild soap. If clothes are contaminated, remove them, take a shower and change into clean clothes. Wash contaminated clothes as usual. In case of contact with eyes, rinse with water for at least 15 minutes, and consult immediately a physician.



Allergy

 Respiratory system recognizes enzymes as foreign proteins, and therefore inhalation of aerosols or powders containing enzymes can cause allergic responses on predisposed persons. When symptoms appear, they should be not undervalued, as they can become even severe. Symptoms may include sneezing, coughing, nasal or sinus congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, shortness of breath, asthma.

Sometime, flu, ordinary cold or irritations of the skin are confused with allergies. There is no evidence that skin contact with enzymes may cause allergic contact dermatitis. Symptoms of allergy will appear only after inhalation of powders or aerosols. When someone exhibit symptoms that are supposed to be related with inhalation of enzymes, it is advisable to make a simple medical test that can determine if there is sensitization to a particular enzyme. Sensitization is an indication of exposition to enzymes that can lead to allergic reactions. A sensitized subject should therefore take particular precautions against exposition to enzymes.
There are various tests that can be conducted to detect the presence of allergic antibodies in the body. The laboratory test RAST (Radio Allergo Sorbent Test) measures antibodies in the blood. ELISA test (Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Antibody Assay) detects serum antibodies. The simplest test is constituted by the Skin Prick Test, widely used by allergists.

FIRST AID : remove the individual from the contaminated area. Check symptoms, and find out if they are related to allergy or to simple skin irritation. If symptoms of allergy occur, consult immediately a physician. Symptoms may appear even after 2 hours from the exposition.

 

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