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Preventing Allergic Reactions to Natural Rubber Latex
A wide variety of products contain latex. Most people who encounter latex products through general use have no health problems, but some workers continually exposed to latex gloves and other products containing natural rubber latex may develop allergic reaction. Such workers include health care workers (physicians, nurses aides, dentists, dental hygienists, operating room employees, laboratory technicians, and hospital housekeeping personnel). Workers who use latex gloves less frequently (law enforcement personnel, ambulance attendants, funeral-home workers, fire fighters, painters, gardeners, food service workers, and housekeeping personnel) may also develop an allergy to latex. Others who may be affected are those who work in factories where latex products are manufactured or people with a tendency to have multiple allergic conditions.
Persons with ongoing exposure to natural rubber latex should follow the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) recommended steps to minimize latex-related health problems. NIOSH recommendations include reducing exposure, using appropriate work practices, training and educating workers, monitoring symptoms and substituting non-latex products when appropriate.
- Take advantage of all latex allergy education and training provided by your employer.
- Learn to recognize the symptoms of latex allergy: skin rashes; hives; flushing; itching; nasal, eye, or sinus symptoms; asthma, and (rarely) shock.
- If symptoms or latex allergy develop, avoid direct contact with latex gloves and products until you can be seen by a physician experienced in treating latex allergies.
- If you have a latex allergy, tell your employer, physicians, nurses and dentists that you have a latex allergy and wear a medical alert bracelet.
- Those diagnosed with a latex allergy should consult a physician regarding precautions to take in areas where powder from the latex gloves worn by others might be inhaled.
- High-risk workers should be periodically screened for latex allergy symptoms.
- Non-latex gloves should be used for activities that are not likely to involve contact with infectious materials (food preparation, routine housekeeping, maintenance, etc.).
- Appropriate barrier protection is necessary when handling infectious materials. If latex gloves are required, choose powder-free gloves with reduced protein content.
- When wearing latex gloves, do not use oil-based hand creams or lotions unless they have been shown to reduce latex-related problems.
- After removing latex gloves, wash hands with a mild soap and dry thoroughly.Identify and frequently clean work areas contaminated with latex dust (upholstery, carpets, ventilation ducts, and plenums).
- Frequently change the ventilation filters and vacuum bags used in latex-contaminate areas.
- Currently prevention strategies should be evaluate whenever a worker is diagnosed with latex allergy.
Latex allergy in the workplace can result in potentially serious health problems for workers, who are often unaware of the risk of latex exposure. Such health problems can be minimized or prevented by following the recommendations outlined by NIOSH. For additional information about latex allergy, call 1-800-356-4674; or visit the NIOSH Web page at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.htm
"Information or recommendations contained in these articles were obtained from sources believed to be reliable at the date of publication. Information is only advisory and does not presume to be exhaustive or inclusive of all workplace hazards or situations."
The above evaluations and/or recommendations are for general guidance only and should not be relied
upon for legal compliance purposes. They are based solely on the information provided to us and relate
only to those conditions specifically discussed. We do not make any warranty, expressed or implied, that your workplace is safe or healthful or that it complies with all laws, regulations or standards.
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