Respiratory disease in industry due to B. subtilis enzyme preparations

Detergent industry workers are known to become sensitized to enzyme preparations added to the products. In a Canadian plant about 25% of 644 employees exposed to airborne commercial B. subtilis enzyme preparations became sensitized. Skin tests with a number of antigens, including purified enzyme preparations, illustrated differences from person to person in the components to which there was sensitization. The presence of respiratory symptoms related to the industrial exposure was reported much more commonly among sensitized workers. Among employees obliged to miss work, FEV(1) values after 24 months were considerably higher than those obtained during the time of initial difficulties. Blood eosinophilia was observed in sensitized workers. Serum IgG antibodies to the enzyme preparations were demonstrable in most sensitized individuals but did not provide a reliable index of sensitization or of the symptomatic state.