Control of airborne latex by use of powder-free latex gloves☆,☆☆,★,★★
Section snippets
CASE REPORT
A 28-year-old female hematology laboratory technician was seen in December 1990 with a 2-year history of contact dermatitis while using latex gloves at work. In addition to the eczematous response on her hands, she also noted contact urticaria. In May 1988 she had had an anaphylactic episode while gloving at work and again experienced anaphylaxis in February 1989 during cesarean section. This occurred within minutes of contact with gloves used by the surgeon. Since then she has used vinyl
Air sampling
Area air samplers (Quan-Tec-Air, Inc., Rochester, Minn.) were used to collect air samples from a hospital biochemistry laboratory and from the hematology laboratory of the patient described. Area samplers were operated 6 hours a day, from about 9 AM to 3 PM at a flow rate of 3 L/sec. Airborne particles were collected onto polytetrafluoroethylene filters that were changed each day.
The index case air sampling was conducted in a combined blood bank/hematology laboratory, a 2400-square-foot area.
DISCUSSION
Our findings suggest this patient had inhaled latex–induced anaphylaxis when coworkers used powdered latex gloves. A change to powder-free latex glove use in her environment, while she used nonlatex gloves, was associated with clearing of symptoms. She was therefore able to continue working normally in this environment. The lack of measurable airborne latex in her current environment by area sampling supports our hypothesis that latex becomes airborne from powdered latex gloves and not from
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Analysis of Environmental Conditions in the Operating Room for Latex-Allergic Patients' Safety
2018, Journal of Perianesthesia NursingLow prevalence of latex allergy in children with spinal dysraphism in non-latex-free environment
2016, Journal of Pediatric UrologyCitation Excerpt :In 1994, high-risk groups for latex allergy, such as SPD patients, have been undergoing operations latex free since day 1 of their lives. The use of powder-free gloves led to a drastic reduction of airborne latex allergen [28]. Data have shown that SPD children who lived in a latex-free environment from birth had latex sensitization of 5% compared with 55% of a former non-latex-free group [19].
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2016, Pediatric Allergy: Principles and Practice: Third EditionStarting the day with latex-sensitised patients: Still up to date?
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2010, Pediatric Allergy: Principles and Practice Expert Consult: Second EditionCitizen's Petition to Food and Drug Administration to ban cornstarch powder on medical gloves: Maltese cross birefringence
2009, American Journal of Emergency Medicine
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From The Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, and The Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, Minn.
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Supported, in part, by the Ontario Allergy Society Research Fund.
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Reprint requests: S. Tarlo, The Asthma Centre, Toronto Western Division of the Toronto Hospital, EC4-008, 399 Bathurst St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 2S8.
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