9 - 
the full nanufacturing process from Initial production to final packaging. 
Because of the biological activity of many of the products and by-products 
that will be encountered In biotechno log 1c applications, prevention of any 
resultant health hazards will, as elsewhere In the pharmaceutical Industries, 
require extremely sophisticated engineering controls. 
In addition to the specific hazards which may result from occupational 
e;q>osures to particular products, workers in biotechnologic applications will 
also be at risk of sensitization to microbial proteins and peptides generated 
in the course of fermentation and extraction. A high frequency of 
sensitization to protein enzymes has been described previously among workers 
14 
engaged in the commercial production of enzyme detergents. Asthma is the 
most serious health consequence of such sensitization. Dermatitis and 
allergic rhinitis might also be expected to occur. 
REAGENT HAZARDS 
As in other sectors of the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, solvents 
and chemical reagents will be used extensively in the extraction, separation, 
and purification of the products produced in biotechnologic applications. 
Among the reagents which may be expected to be used In biotechnology are 
solvents (phenol, benzene, toluene, chloroform), buffers (sodium hydroxide, 
urea, ammoniun hydroxide, magnesiun chloride, potassiixn chloride), and 
antibiotics (chloramphenicol, tetracycline, ampicillin). Standard procedures 
for process enclosure, ventilation, and work practices, as well as adherence 
to OSHA standards and other appropriate guidelines will be required to protect 
biotechnology workers against those exposures. 
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