Enzymes
Handling liquid and

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DNA safety

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Enzymes

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Microbiology

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Tissue culture

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Safety organisations

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General guidelines

Enzyme bottle

As the active components of enzyme products are water-soluble, water should always be used for the removal of enzymes.  

LIQUID ENZYME PRODUCTS

Do not let liquid products dry up
If liquid enzymes are allowed to dry up, there is a risk of dust formation. In susceptible people the repeated inhalation of dust may provoke asthma or hay fever. That is why any spillage - on equipment, on the floor or bench - should be rinsed into the sewer with water - straight away.

Avoid formation of aerosols
If enzyme-containing aerosols are formed, there is a risk of inhalation of the enzyme. In susceptible people the repeated inhalation of dust may provoke asthma or hay fever. That is why enzymes should never be sprayed. Avoid direct skin and eye contact If, by accident, you get liquid enzyme on your skin or in your eyes, the remedy is plenty of tap water - quickly. The same applies to clothing. In the event of large spill, to be on the safe side take a shower, immerse the clothes in water and wash as usual. This treatment will generally prove sufficient, but don't be careless: if symptoms develop in the respiratory passages, on the skin or in the eyes, see a doctor immediately!

POWDER AND GRANULATED ENZYME PRODUCTS

Avoid enzyme dust in the air
In susceptible people the repeated inhalation of dust may provoke asthma or hay fever. That is why weighing and other manipulation of the product should be carried out in a closed system. Where open handling cannot be avoided, the skin, eyes and respiratory passages should be covered for protection.

Remove spilt enzyme product at once
Don't leave spilt enzyme lying around as it may form dust. Moisten immediately and remove completely.

Dissolve in water before disposal
Enzymes should be dissolved in water before discharge into the sewage system.

If you have been exposed to dust
Plenty of tap water should be applied to the exposed areas: skin, eyes, clothing (wash as usual). If inhaled, rinse mouth and throat thoroughly, and drink plenty of water. In most cases, this treatment will prove sufficient, but don't be careless: if symptoms develop in the respiratory passages, on the skin or in the eyes within 12 hours, see a doctor!

INFORMATION FOR THE DOCTOR

This medical information is only meant to provide guidance to the doctor in the event of an emergency. The attending doctor must make his/her own diagnosis of the illness and prescribe the specific treatment to be administered.

Symptoms like hay fever and asthma may appear within 0-12 hours after exposure (inhalation) in sensitised people. It is suggested that any symptom in the respiratory tract be primarily suspected to be on an allergic nature and treated as such - if treatment is felt necessary. Expiratory dyspnea should be treated as allergic asthma. Injection of adrenaline or theophylline is usually effective and may be supplemented by administration of beta-2-receptor stimulating agents.

Proteolytic enzymes can irritate the skin and mucous membranes. More pronounced skin irritation or eczema should be examined and treated. Topical steroids are usually effective. You are invited to report any symptoms due to exposure to Novozymes enzyme products to Novozymes A/S, for the attention of the Product Approval Department.

Novozymes A/S
Krogshøjvej
DK 2880 Bagsværd
Denmark
T: + 45 (0) 88 24 99 99
F: + 45 (0) 88 24 99 98
E:
info@novozymes.com
W:
http://www.novozymes.com

The information on this page comes from Novozymes A/S, Denmark.

Copyright © National Centre for Biotechnology Education, 2006 | www.ncbe.reading.ac.uk