Occupational latex asthma.
Source
Occupational Health Surveillance Update 1998 Jan; :1,8-9
Abstract
Natural latex gloves have proven effective in preventing transmission of many infectious diseases. Unfortunately, use of latex gloves in this preventive effort has contributed to the sensitization of at least 1-6% of the general population, and 7- 10% of the health-care workers to natural rubber latex allergens (see sidebar). Latex is composed of various lipids, phospholipids, and proteins. The proteins can sensitize or induce IgE antibodies production in predisposed individuals. Chemicals, including antioxidants and accelerators, added during the manufacturing process may cause hypersensitivity. The amount of latex protein exposure needed to produce sensitization or an allergic reaction is unknown. Reductions in exposure to latex proteins have been reported to be associated with decreased sensitization and symptoms.
Keywords
Gloves; Personal-protection; Personal-protective-equipment; Preventive-medicine; Infection-control; Infectious-diseases; Workers; Worker-health; Allergies; Allergic-reactions; Hypersensitivity; Chemical-composition; Exposure-levels; Risk-factors; Health-care-personnel; Sensitization
Funding Type
Cooperative Agreement
Identifying No.
Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U60-OH-008338; Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U60-208160
Source Name
Occupational Health Surveillance Update
Performing Organization
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
