Latex Allergy in the Workplace first talks about the background of the obvious problem of Latex allergy. Natural rubber latex is extracted from the milky sap of the rubber tree Hevea Braziliensis namely in Malaysia. The history of Latex gloves began over a hundred years ago. The first recorded incidence of hypersensitivity (allergic reaction) to the natural rubber Latex occurred in 1939. Because of the upsurge of infectious diseases there was an increase in imported Latex gloves increased from one million in 1987 to eight million in 1988. Also, because of this increase in demand, foreign suppliers didn't live up to the US requirements in manufacturing the gloves, which has of course resulted in a higher latex exposure. And because of Latex being an allergen, the repeated exposure to it may become life threatening.

Some types of allergic reactions are as follows:

ICD - Irritant Contact Dermatitis - Because of around 200 different compounding chemicals in the gloves, and not properly washing hands after use an itchy, irritated, dryness occurs on

ACD - Allergic Contact Dermatitis (Type IV) - is a delayed reaction to the Latex and usually occurs 24 to 96 hours after exposure. The symptoms of this certain reaction, is similar to poison ivy.

Immediate Hypersensitivity (Type I) - Although the least common reactions to latex, these are the most severe and life-threatening. There have been serious reactions to Latex when inhaled as the proteins are aerosolized during glove cleaning and removal. In 1997 62% of Latex related deaths were from gloves alone.

A positive diagnosis of Latex allergy is made by using the results of a medical history, physical exam, diagnostic/exposure related evaluation, and tests. Some tests include, the patch test, the prick skin test, and radio allegro-sorbent tests. With all these tests there is yet to be a "gold standard" for diagnosing Latex allergy. The big problem with these tests is that there are a significant number of wrong diagnosis results.

There are many different strategies for decreased Latex allergy to help subside. One is simply guidelines that the employers need to emphasize to protect workers from unne

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Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)