Systematic review of dermal and respiratory sensitising effects of micro-organisms

One of the actions derived from the Farm to Fork Strategy and the “Vision for Agriculture and Food - Shaping together an attractive farming and agri-food sector for future generations” is to facilitate access to market of biocontrol active substances used in plant protection products, such as micro-organisms used as active substances. Human exposure to micro-organisms may lead to sensitising reactions. However, no validated method to assess the sensitising potential of micro-organisms exists, leading to precautionary approaches such as default warning labelling of plant protection products containing micro-organisms and obligations to use personal protective equipment when applying such plant protection products. Providing more scientific clarity on how sensitising potential could be better characterised and predicted would result in streamlining risk assessment and regulatory processes, and eventually in a more tailored approaches on labelling and recommendations. The study envisages a review on epidemiological data on sensitising effects caused by micro-organisms in areas where humans might be exposed to micro-organisms, such as occupational areas that might involve manufacturing of micro-organisms such as for food, feed, pharmaceutical purposes. This study may lead to identify patterns in micro-organisms groups which caused sensitising reactions, which would support further activities such as validating methods to assess sensitising potential of micro-organisms.