OCCUPATIONAL LATEX ALLERGIES

Overview

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)
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.
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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

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.

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI)
Latex allergy topic page.

American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (ACAAI)
AAAAI and ACAAI Joint Statement concerning the use of powdered and non-powdered natural rubber latex gloves.

OSHA Latex Allergy Site
This OSHA site addresses the recognition, evaluation, controls and compliance issues surrounding latex allergy.

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.

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.