HSE lists cephalosporins among substances that can cause occupational asthma and identifies them as antibiotics similar to penicillin.
Source: UK Health and Safety Executive: Substances that can cause occupational asthma ↗Dust entry
Cephalosporin powder dust
Airborne cephalosporin antibiotic powder generated during pharmaceutical manufacture or handling.
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 asthmarespiratory sensitisationallergic reaction concernskin sensitisation concern
Evidence
The HSE review reports occupational asthma caused by cephalosporin exposure in workers who underwent bronchial challenge testing, including exposure to cephalosporin powders and related active-nucleus components, and classifies cephalosporins as respiratory sensitisers.
Source: pdf ↗ · saved source
page 120 · C39: CEPHALOSPORINS — Summary and conclusion · 1
page 120 · C39: CEPHALOSPORINS — Summary and conclusion · 1
Occupational asthma caused by exposure to cephalosporins has been demonstrated in a total of 8 workers who underwent bronchial challenge tests with different types of these semisynthetic antibiotics or the active nucleus component, 7-aminocephalosporanic acid. The available skin prick test results suggest an underlying immunological mechanism for the production of the asthma.
Controls
- closed powder handling
- local exhaust ventilation
- contamination control
- exposure monitoring
- medical surveillance
- appropriate respiratory protection