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NIOSH - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

NIOSH Safety and Health Topic:

Occupational Latex Allergies

Latex gloves have proved effective in preventing transmission of many infectious diseases to health care workers. But for some workers, exposures to latex may result in allergic reactions. Reports of such reactions have increased in recent years--especially among health care workers.

NIOSHTIC-2 Search


NIOSHTIC-2 search results on Latex
NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.

NIOSH Publications on Latex Allergies


Latex Allergy: A Prevention Guide
NIOSH Publication No. 98-113
Questions and Answers about identifying and preventing latex allergy.

NIOSH ALERT: Preventing Allergic Reactions to Natural Rubber Latex in the Workplace
NIOSH Publication No. 97-135 (June 1997)
Esta Pãgina en Español En Espanol
Detailed description of latex allergy including presentation of existing data and description of six case reports of workers who developed latex allergy. The document also presents NIOSH recommendations for minimizing latex-related health problems in workers while protecting them from infectious materials.

Related NIOSH Topic Pages


Asthma and Allergies
Bloodborne Infectious Diseases HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B Virus, and Hepatitis C Virus (Needlesticks)
Dentistry
Healthcare Workers
Skin Exposures and Effects
Tuberculosis
West Nile Virus

Other Related Resources


Percutaneous reactivity to natural rubber latex proteins persists in health-care workers following avoidance of natural rubber latex
Clin Exp Allergy, 2007, Sep;37(9):1349-56
External Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17845416?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.
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American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI)
"Tips to Remember" Brochure was created by the Public Education Committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
External Link: http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/latexallergy.stm

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI)
Latex allergy topic page.
External Link: http://www.acaai.org/public/linkpages/latex.htm

American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (ACAAI)
AAAAI and ACAAI Joint Statement concerning the use of powdered and non-powdered natural rubber latex gloves.
External Link: http://allergy.edoc.com/1997_archives/pdf/dec_97/487.pdf

OSHA Latex Allergy Site
This OSHA site addresses the recognition, evaluation, controls and compliance issues surrounding latex allergy.
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/latexallergy/index.html

Latex Allergy Links
Provides a comprehensive, up-to-date listing of latex allergy-related sites. ELASTIC Inc. is a voluntary, non-profit organization that is dedicated to the advancement of latex allergy awareness and management as well as the prevention of future sensitization through education, information sharing and support.
External Link: http://latexallergylinks.tripod.com/

Latex Allergens with their predicted physiological roles
World Health Organization-International Union of Immunological Societies (WHO-IUIS) Registered Latex Allergens listing with links for allergen nomenclature and sequence database.
External Link: http://dmd.nihs.go.jp/latex/allergen-e.html


Occupational Latex Allergies

dust from removing latex glove

 

Page last updated: October 8, 2008
Page last reviewed: September 22, 2008
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Education and Information Division