Chapter 5: Enzymes
Lipase
No badge
The worst fact: it has caused occupational asthma in detergent workers: the first cases from lipase and cellulase were reported in 2004, making four of the commonest detergent enzymes known causes.
Why brands use it: it breaks down natural fats and oils in oily stains.
Take care if: you have asthma or allergies. It isn't officially classified in Australia or the EU, but the industry's own risk assessment treats breathing allergy as the key concern for all detergent enzymes.
Comes from: typically a gene from the fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus, grown in another fungus, Aspergillus oryzae. Its maker says Lipolase, launched in a Japanese detergent in 1988, was the first industrial enzyme made in a genetically modified host.
Myth check: nil.
Contaminants: nil.
Fair to say: in a 2017 worker study it had the lowest allergy-antibody rate reported: 4%.
Correct as of November 2026. What the badges mean
Sources
- Safe Work Australia. Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS): subtilisin, alpha-amylase, cellulase, mannanase.
- European Union. Detergents Regulation (EC) 648/2004, Annex VII; Commission Directive 96/54/EC (enzyme classifications).
- HERA. Subtilisins (protease), 2nd ed. (2007); alpha-amylases, cellulases and lipases (2005).
- Brant A et al. Occupational asthma caused by cellulase and lipase in the detergent industry. Occup Environ Med 2004;61:793-795.
- Budnik LT et al. Sensitising effects of genetically modified enzymes used in flavour, fragrance, detergence and pharmaceutical production. Occup Environ Med 2017.
- Callisen T et al. Enzymer til vaskemidler. Dansk Kemi 2006;87(3).
The full source list is at the end of Chapter 5.