Évaluation du risque professionnel d'hypersensibilité type I aux enzymes microbiennes présentes dans les détergents

Exposure to microbial enzymes among staff working in detergent manufacturing facilities can result in IgE-dependent sensitisation with risk of serious allergic events. The purpose of monitoring by an occupational health doctor is to enable early detection of sensitisation in employees before actual allergic symptoms occur. The detergents industry relies on extensive experience and strict recommendations to avoid the onset of symptoms in staff. The International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products based in Brussels proposes individual surveillance measures for staff members (e.g. questionnaires, pulmonary function testing) as well as strict preventive measures at the collective level such as air quality controls. Staff surveillance programs based on skin testing have proved effective in the early detection of such sensitisation. Between 2006 and 2010, in more than 100 factories worldwide, the annual incidence of new cases of sensitisation was less than 1% while that of occupational allergies was below 0.1%. Herein, we describe the novel characteristics of this model as applied to a factory on French territory.