Wendy
Anyone who requires protection against biological hazards could be
considered an "essential user", since no other glove material equals latex
for protection against these. There is still a lot of misinformation
surrounding natural rubber latex gloves. If we are talking about single use
gloves, then provided these are low free protein (<50 µg/g of glove) and
unpowdered then the risk of anyone developing latex allergy is miniscule.
To illustrate this, in Germany the standard single use examination glove in
healthcare is natural rubber latex, unpowdered, low free protein, and in the
words of Prof. Henning Allmers, an expert in this field, 'latex allergy is
history'. In 2008 the Royal College of Physicians, jointly with NHS Plus,
published the results of a study on this issue (Latex allergy - Occupational
aspects of management - A national guideline). Essentially their conclusion
was that there was no need to avoid natural rubber latex single-use gloves
provided that these were unpowdered, low free protein. However, those with
existing latex allergy who could not wear this type of glove should be
provided with a non-latex alternative. One of the statements in their key
findings and recommendations reads: “No reports of new cases of latex
allergy arising from non-powdered low protein latex glove use were found.”
Dr. John English, Consultant Dermatologist at Queen's Medical Centre,
University of Nottingham, has written to me stating: “The latex allergy is
over as we now have powder free and low release of NRL protein gloves in the
NHS”
I hope that this helps. If you need more just get in touch direct, as I have
a large collection of studies, reports, etc. on this topic.
Chris
Chris Packham
FRSPH, FInstSMM, MCMI, MIIRSM, MBICSc
EnviroDerm Services
Unit 10, Building 11, The Mews, Mitcheldean, GL17 0SN
Tel: +44 1386 832 311 (office), Mobile: +44 7818 035 898
www.enviroderm.co.uk
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