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.

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NIOSHTIC-2 search results on Latex

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)
En Español
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.

NIOSH FACTS page on Latex Allergy (1997)
En Español
Brief overview of what causes latex allergy, who is affected and prevention methods.

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 Latex Allergy-Related Resources

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

Veterans Administration Latex Allergy Site
External Link: http://www.va.gov/vasafety/page.cfm?pg=242
Veterans Administration site provides useful information and links on latex allergy.

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

Occupational Latex Allergies

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Latex Allergies

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