190 Safety stewardship of enzymes: reaching cleaning professionals with risk management guidance for professionals and their employees

Abstract

Professional cleaning products are used in a wide variety of situations, from cleaning of private and public facilities such as hospitals, offices, hotels, restaurants, care homes and public transport, to cleaning of workplaces and industrial process involved in the manufacturing of foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and others. For many years enzymes have been used safely as a functional ingredient in consumer products such as laundry detergents and are widely in professional products for bulk laundering of fabrics and clothing from the manufacturing, healthcare and service industries. Enzymes have also been used in niche professional products such as solutions for cleaning endoscopes, and specialized drain and surface cleaners. Enzymes have a very good safety profile but, as with many other proteins, they can act as respiratory sensitizers and so may lead to allergy symptoms, such as rhinitis. In order to better address safe use across small and medium enterprises the AISE (International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products), the ACI (American Cleaning Institute), the HCPA (Household and Commercial Products) and enzyme suppliers joined forces to create guidance for risk assessment and risk communication for professional cleaners. Attendees at this discussion will develop an understanding of the risk, risk management measures, and critical risk communication topics to be discussed with employers of professional products users and employees working with enzyme containing professional products themselves.