Sarah
Firstly you say a diagnosis of contact dermatitis due to powdered latex gloves. Who has made this diagnosis and on the basis of what test? The reaction to latex protein (not the powder) is a type I contact urticarial reaction and not contact dermatitis. It can only be properly diagnosed from a positive reaction to one of the relevant clinical tests (prick test, RAST, ELISA). Contact urticaria is not stated as being reportable under RIDDOR, only contact dermatitis.
With powdered natural rubber latex gloves the allergic reaction is to the protein, the powder merely acting as a medium that allows it to become airborne and thus triggering sensitisation due to inhalation. The subsequent hand urticaria is then due to the free protein in the powdered gloves. Unpowdered gloves will almost always have a much lower level of free latex protein, generally below the level required to initiate the allergic reaction.
If you need more on this feel free to contact me off the forum.
Chris
Chris Packham
FRSPH, FIIRSM, FISM, MCMI
Dermatological Engineer
EnviroDerm Services
‘Hedworth’. Grange Court, Westbury-on-Severn, GL14 1PL, U.K.
( +44 (0)1386 832 311
M: +44 (0)7818 035 898