HSE lists papain, an enzyme from the paw-paw tree used in food, pharmaceutical, and other processing, among substances that can cause occupational asthma.
Source: UK HSE: Substances that can cause occupational asthma ↗Dust entry
Papain powder dust
Airborne papain enzyme particulate from handling or processing papain, a plant-derived enzyme identified by HSE as an occupational-asthma substance.
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 sensitisation
Evidence
Controls
- powder containment
- local exhaust ventilation
- gentle handling
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection