Enzymes in Hot Water

Introduced with splashy promotion campaigns less than three years ago, enzyme pre-soaks like Procter & Gamble's Biz and Colgate-Palmolive's Axion quickly became household words and laundry staples. Enzymes were then added to most detergents. Today, brands containing enzymes account for at least 60% of the $1.5 billion U.S. market for pre-soaks and detergents. Now, government officials in both the U.S. and

Britain are examining the enzymes for possible health hazards.

Official interest was first quickened by an article last June in the London medical journal, the Lancet, which reported that an unusually large number of workers exposed to enzyme dust at P & G's detergent plant in Newcastle suffered from asthmatic symptoms and skin irritations. Some dermatologists agree that enzymes, which split the proteins of stains made by chocolate, blood, gravy and other materials the way the stomach decomposes food, might also break down the skin's fatty protective layer and cause inflammation, cracked skin and swelling. Though most specialists believe that more research is necessary before any clear conclusion can be drawn, a rising number of Britons have complained of skin irritations caused by enzyme detergents. The Home Office two weeks ago announced a preliminary study of hospitals to determine whether a full investigation is warranted.

In the U.S., enzyme cleansers are being investigated by three Government agencies. The Federal Trade Commission began a study in December to determine long-term effects of enzyme detergents. An official of the Environmental Control Administration, which is conducting its own study, says that complaints of rashes and asthmatic reactions received by his office have grown "astronomically" since the announcement of the FTC study. At the Food and Drug Administration, which is also investigating, a spokesman said that complaints have been coming in for 18 months and are increasing.

The big soapmakers--P & G, Colgate and Lever--vigorously deny that there is a health hazard and produce a barrage of statistical evidence. P & G pretested the effects of enzymes on the skin by applying patches smeared with detergent solution to more than 20 random groups of from 60 to 100 volunteers. The patches were applied three times a week for three weeks, and there was not a single case of skin irritation. Executives also say that they have all but eliminated enzyme dust in packaged goods. Just to keep the record clean, however, the soapmakers say that they intend to go right on testing their latest washday miracle.

Enzyme products have also been charged with polluting waterways. Last week a new indictment came from Entertainer Arthur Godfrey, whose avuncular endorsements for Colgate's Axion are a major element in the pre-soak promotion campaign. "They call it an enzyme pre-soak, but that's misleading," said Godfrey, a dedicated conservationist. "They should say that it's an enzyme-active detergent."

Most detergents contain phosphates, which are linked to excessive growth of algae in water. These algae can choke off wildlife in streams and lakes. Elliot Hershkowitz, a chemist with Eldib Engineering & Research Co., antipollution specialists, says: "The difference between a pre-soak and a detergent is mainly a difference in the concentration of active ingredients. However, both products contain essentially the same ingredients --enzymes, phosphates and surfactant, a cleaning agent."

Godfrey said that he had previously thought that the enzyme pre-soaks, unlike detergents, were not pollutants. He changed his mind after testimony was given at a congressional hearing in December that Axion contained more phosphates--43.7%--than any of 28 randomly selected washing products. Unless Colgate lets him declare that Axion is a water pollutant, Godfrey says that he will not only refuse to make any more commercials for the product but will also speak out against such promotions. Godfrey is producing six hour-long television specials on the environment and does not want to endanger his credibility by selling Axion without qualification. Ironically, the sponsor of the program is Colgate-Palmolive.

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