Integrated approaches to prevent exposure risks related to latex-derived products

Abstract

Natural rubber latex is a widely used industrial raw material to produce many consumer and commercial products. Chronic exposures to latex allergenic proteins residual in the finished products can promote hypersensitive immune responses, which affects millions of workers and the general public worldwide. Research has shown the average prevalence of latex allergy worldwide remains approximately 10% among healthcare workers, 7% among susceptible patients, and 4% among general population. Although most effective in preventing latex allergy, completely avoiding contact to latex-derived products is extremely challenging, given the fact that millions of products possibly contain latex, but few are regulated and properly labeled. Due to the difficulty to assure a product completely absent of latex allergens, the United States Food and Drug Administration has recommended to stop using labels like “latex-free” or “does not contain latex.” Here we evaluate published data, industrial standards and regulations, identify possible countermeasures, and propose an integrated strategy, including some more practicable approaches (e.g., education/training, product labeling, the use of proper personal protective equipment, occupational selection, and searchable product database) and novel medical treatments (e.g., immunotherapy) to help decreasing latex allergy prevalence.

KEYWORDS:

• Latex allergy
• latex-derived product
• natural rubber latex
• occupational health
• public health

Acknowledgments

This research did not include research participants, and institutional review board is not applicable. All Web addresses referenced in this article were accessible as of the publication date.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

All the authors declare no competing financial interests.