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by Paul King
Thursday, Jul. 24, 2003 at 10:29 PM
"If the FDA discovers that the reactions are from the latex, a whole series of latex products could then be pulled of the market. This includes gloves, urinal bags, textile glue, glue for reclosing envelopes, balloons and condoms."
"If the FDA discovers that the reactions are from the latex, a whole series of latex products could then be pulled of the market. This includes gloves, urinal bags, textile glue, glue for reclosing envelopes, balloons and condoms.
Latex hypersensitivity is well documented but usually as a contact dermatitis caused by chemicals. However, increasing numbers of articles in medical journals are reporting “natural latex” as the cause of the reactions."
But what is natural latex? Even scientists can’t agree. Some believe natural latex changes its chemical makeup during storage. Others point out that the soil used to grow rubber trees, the source of latex, is liberally treated with fertilizers.
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OTHER REFERENCES
www.epa.gov/oppts/documents/fsis31.pdf
Immediate hypersensitivity is exemplified by the person allergic to shellfish whose tongue goes raw and swollen at a restaurant, or the person allergic to bees who is bitten and dies. These are due to the immune system's antibodies (in particular, immunoglobulin E, or "IgE") reacting to the tree proteins in the latex. Routes of exposure include aerosol, direct bloodstream contact (medically called "parenteral", such as by intravenous injection), direct gut contact (called "enteral", such as by eating), mucosal (such as exposure of the moist inner tissues of the vagina or penis to a condom), among others.
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The CDC reports that one to six in every 100 Americans may be allergic to latex. If you are a healthcare worker (or are regularly exposed to natural latex rubber) your chances of developing this allergy jumps to 12%-18%. Because of the cornstarch powder used this allergen becomes airborne and can cause reactions when you are not even touching a latex product.
www.asrt.org/profession_glance/chemical_sensitivity_index...
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by Paul King
Thursday, Jul. 24, 2003 at 10:31 PM
"...... new concerns are arising regarding allergic or other toxic reactions to various components of latex condoms such as vulcanization accelerators, latex proteins, spermicides and finishing powders."
"* Studies are needed to evaluate the best lubricants to use in the manufacture of condoms. Evidence suggests that the right quantity, type and placement of lubricant is important for condom functionality, acceptability and safety. In addition, the added value and risk presented by spermicidal lubricants and by dry finishing powders (e.g. talc or cornstarch) should be critically examined."
"Since the late 1980s the reported incidence of allergy to natural rubber latex has increased dramatically, as much as 12 -fold."
"Latex allergy is incurable, although the symptoms, such as itching, soreness, painful blistering, runny noses, swollen eyes, asthma symptoms and anaphylaxis can be ameliorated. Everyone who has contact wi th natural rubber latex is potentially at risk from sensitisation. Both patients and health care workers can be at risk from allergic reactions to natural rubber latex. Over the past decade, allergic reactions to natural rubber latex have become a major public health concern."
" Once a person has developed latex allergy, however mild, they are “sensitised” to latex and are at risk from severe allergic reactions."
"Delayed cell-mediated reactions are the most common form of hypersensitivity reaction to natural rubber latex. These reactions are to individual chemical residues from the production process such as accelerants used in the vulcanisation process which is required to strengthen the product. The residual chemicals may bloo on the surface of the products and can be absorbed through the skin upon contact."
Condoms contain compounds known to cause cancer and serious birth defects in substantial quantities
SOURCE. Condom Industry web site and Beacon Pharmaceuticals, July 2001
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In the ’90s, research teams at the Medical College were at the forefront of identifying latex allergy in patients and health care workers.
Study coordinator Diane Foster, R.N., said the current study confirmed her suspicions that airborne latex particles played a key role in sensitizing workers to latex.
Foster was aware of earlier studies that had looked at the role of powdered latex gloves in sensitization. The studies had shown that health care workers who wear latex gloves frequently are more susceptible to sensitization. It was found that latex proteins adhere to the cornstarch or rice powder used to coat the gloves and become airborne when the gloves are snapped on. When inhaled, the proteins are absorbed into the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, where they can trigger a reaction.
Foster said the capacity for the proteins to become airborne is “something tremendous.” She cites infrared testing revealing 4- to 6-foot clouds of powder surrounding individuals after they had snapped on the powdered latex gloves.
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