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MNA Congress on Health and Safety releases top
10 reasons to avoid latex gloves
By Evelyn I. Bain, MEd, RN, COHN-S,
Associate Director, Occupational Safety and Health Specialist
Latex allergy continues to plague hundreds of thousands
of nurses and other health care workers across Massachusetts and
throughout the country. Additionally, a like number of patients
are affected, having been exposed to natural rubber latex through
their needs to maintain and improve their health. Patients exposure
occurs through medical procedures such as multiple surgeries, where
latex gloves come in contact with the mucus membranes of the abdominal
or other body cavities, through contact with latex catheters and
even breathing the same latex proteins that cause workers to become
allergic.
As patients in the health care system, children
are at high risk for developing latex allergy if they have conditions
that require frequent surgical procedures. Children with myelodysplasia
(spina bifida) are at especially high risk with 18-73%1 known to
be latex allergic. The frequency of exposure to for these children
to latex gloves, catheters made of latex and other latex medical
products is easily understood by most health care providers. Yet
hospital questionnaires, designed to identify latex allergy in unsuspecting
patients before a life threatening reaction occurs, consider as
few as three surgical procedures to be a red flag for latex allergy.
Government documents identify the hazardous nature
of occupational exposure to latex. In 1997, the National Institute
of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published an ALERT entitled
“Preventing Allergic Reactions to Natural Rubber Latex in the Workplace.”
NIOSH noted that exposed workers may develop allergic reactions
such as skin rashes; hives; nasal, eye or sinus symptoms; asthma;
and rarely shock. By 1999, when the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) published a Technical Information Bulletin
(TIB) — “Potential for Allergy to Natural Rubber Latex Gloves and
other Natural Rubber Products” — deaths had been reported.
OSHA also noted in that TIB that gloves made of
alternative synthetic materials were appropriate protection for
health care workers exposed to bloodborne pathogens.
The continuous occupational exposure to latex gloves
and the powder from these gloves, which settles out on clothes,
hair and counter tops, has been discussed in recent years. The additional
exposure for these same people in their personal health care has
not been added to the toxic equation. Latex gloves, in contact with
mucus membranes during dental procedures and internal exams, provide
an additional and potent source of exposure. In general, people
should begin to question and avoid the use of latex in their personal
health and dental care as a basic measure of primary prevention
from developing latex allergy. Nurses who demand non-latex gloves
in their personal health and dental care are also providing a valuable
educational opportunities for their health care providers, many
of whom are unaware or unconcerned about the hazard they continue
to impose on their patients while jeopardizing their own health
and that of their employees.
Readily available synthetic exam and surgical gloves
eliminate the potential for latex allergy. Many facilities have
moved a short step forward in addressing latex allergy by utilizing
powder free, low protein latex gloves. These gloves may aerosolize
(the process where latex proteins become airborne) fewer proteins,
but there is no standard or measure that is recommended by federal
regulators that would describe the requirements for powder free,
low protein latex glove. (Even “powder-free / powderless gloves”
have been shown to contain a measure of powder that is needed for
some steps in the manufacturing process.)
Those who are already sensitized should avoid contact
with any latex glove. Many sensitized nurses report that as they
continue to work beside others using these powder free, low protein
latex gloves their symptoms continue to worsen. Nurses often report
using allergy medications including pills and inhalers in order
to continue to work. Over time, even in the presence of powder-free,
low protein latex gloves, their reactions increase, ultimately resulting
in their disability. Skin rashes and chronic dermatitis are not
resolved with the use of powder free, low protein latex gloves as
the sensitizing agent is the latex itself and not the powder. Aerosolized
latex proteins may be fewer in number with the powder free, low
protein latex gloves but the potential for sensitization continues
to exist. It just takes a little longer.
Powder-free, low-protein latex gloves provide no
protection (…none, …zero) for patients who are latex allergic. Again,
it’s the latex they are allergic to…not the powder.
To help those exposed to better understand the problem
and recognize the signs and symptoms of latex allergy and in conjunction
with Latex Allergy Awareness Week, the MNA Congress on Health and
Safety has developed the Top Ten Reasons to Avoid Latex Gloves.
1. Kobrynski, Lisa J. MD, Latex: Allergen of the 90’s,
Contemporary Pediatrics, May 1996, Vol. 13, No, 5 pp 87-95
Top 10 reasons to avoid latex gloves*
Most nurses and other health care workers are still
exposed to natural rubber latex every day, primarily through the
use of latex gloves.
10. NIOSH says “exposure to latex can be
hazardous to your health.” 1
9. Repeated exposure to latex can cause allergic
reactions.1
8. 10 to 17 % of health care workers test
positive for latex allergy.2
7. Latex allergy can make your face
itch and swell.2
6. Latex allergy can make your nose
run.1
5. Latex allergy can give you asthma.1
4. Latex allergy can make your hands itch
and crack. 1
3. Latex allergy can cause anaphylaxis
(shock).2
2. OSHA says synthetic glove material is
appropriate protection 2
1. Latex allergy can kill you. 2
* Avoid the use of natural rubber latex gloves in
your work environment and in your personal health and dental care.
1. National Institute of Occupational
Safety and Health, NIOSH Alert, Preventing Allergic Reactions to
Natural Rubber Latex in the Workplace, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication
No. 97-135, June 1997
2. Occupational Health and Safety Administration
- Technical Information Bulletin - Potential for Allergy to Natural
Rubber Latex Glove and other Natural Rubber Products. Information
date: 19990412 (April 12, 1999)
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