Dust entry

Alpha-amylase enzyme dust

Enzyme-containing powder used in flour improvers, baking, detergents, animal feed, and other industrial processes.

Airborne form

dust

The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.

Health effects

occupational asthma concernrespiratory sensitizationallergic rhinitis concern

Evidence

The UK HSE review reports evidence that fungal, bacterial, and porcine pancreatic alpha amylases can cause immunologically mediated occupational asthma, identifies baking as a major source of fungal alpha-amylase exposure, and classifies alpha amylases as respiratory sensitisers under its reviewed criteria.

Source: pdf ↗ · saved source
page 114 · C37: ALPHA AMYLASES — Summary and conclusion · 1

There is a good body of evidence to indicate that fungal, bacterial and porcine pancreatic alpha amylases can cause occupational asthma which is mediated by an immunological mechanism involving immunoglobulin E (IgE). The main source of occupational exposure to fungal alpha amylase is in the baking industry.

Controls

use liquid or dust-suppressed enzyme preparations where feasible
enclose and ventilate powder handling
avoid dumping or sweeping enzyme powder
provide exposure and health surveillance
use appropriate respiratory protection where exposure assessment indicates it is needed