Latex Products In The Work Place

– Labout Studies Essay, Research Paper

Over the last decade, many employees have developed allergies related to the use of latex. .The employees affected have mainly been found in healthcare, food services and in beauty services.. As employees in these areas, as well as other areas have learned of the potential risk from the contraction of disease leading to death, caused by the exposure to bodily fluids, they have realized that the use of products to stop the exposure is absolutely essential. This has substantially increased and spread the use of latex products, mainly gloves. .The use of so many is very costly, so many employees turned to third world countries who produce a cheaper, untreated latex, which although it cannot be blamed alone for the development of latex allergies, does contribute to the problem..

The repeated use of latex in the work place can lead to allergies that affect the worker.s ability to function both at work and at home. .The allergies developed can result in degree from a minor irritation to an anaphylactic shock. Out of the many types of allergic reactions only two types, Type I and Type IV have been observed as being related to latex. Type IV reactions have proved to be a response to additives used by the manufacturer. They are uncomfortable, but not life threatening. This is the opposite of Type I reactions. Type I reactions are caused by an antibody called IgE which recognizes the cause of the allergy from previous exposure..

.The Type I allergens in latex products exist naturally. They remain in the latex during processing. Three proteins found to be involved with the latex allergies are Kd-14, Kd-20 and Kd-27. The proteins can be airborne through powder residue on the gloves, so they can be transmitted through the air. The proteins are also water-soluble. The reactions from Type I include eye, nose, and respiratory symptoms. If left untreated the reaction may be life threatening..

.The death count associated with Type I reactions up until 1995 is 16 due to latex.. These deaths prove that the latex allergies that are being developed are a serious risk to employee health, and the matter needs to be dealt with seriously. Both employers and government need to take charge of the issue to ensure the safety of the employees.

The employer needs to provide policies and procedures to reduce the exposure to latex. Until recently latex gloves were the automatic protection worn by all employees dealing with people, or products for people, and in many places this is still the case. This has to stop, and employers are the ones who must implement other options. .This is extremely important because those employees most at risk are the ones who frequently use latex products, and once the allergy is developed, it does not ever go away.. .Other people who are at high risk are those who apply latex gloves while their hands are still wet.. Since the proteins are water-soluble, the skin can absorb them more easily once they are part of the water. .More groups of people at high risk are those who suffer from various other allergies, and those who use latex products when they have a rash or any other skin disorder, because it gives the proteins an entrance to the body.. Employers need to make sure that employees use alternatives to latex as much as possible, and must ensure that employees know about the potential allergies and the best ways to avoid them. From the employee.s point of view, their knowledge of these issues is the key to the protection of their health.

Employees. lives will be changed forever once they develop latex allergies. Those employees such as nurses and doctors, who must use latex gloves throughout their job, will no longer be able to provide adequate care to the patients unless there is an alternative available to use. This however, is obviously through no fault of their own. .Other gloves, that are latex free are available, and employees need to provide them, regardless of the cost. Latex gloves that do continue to be purchased need to be certified by the Canadian General Standards Board to ensure the safety of employees.. If measures are taken to reduce latex risk, fewer workers will develop allergies. .Often allergies are so severe that working in an environment where latex proteins may be airborne is no longer possible.. The employees have to find new jobs, with less latex contact. This is hard on the employee, especially today, where not only a good job, but also any job at all is extremely difficult to find. The biggest part of looking for a new job would be acquiring the necessary skills, because the employees are searching for something new, something that they are not trained for.

When employees develop latex allergies, it affects their ability to function at work, but also to function at home. .Latex is found in many household products such as sponges and cleaning/kitchen gloves. Even something as simple as putting a bandage on a child or cleaning up toys, such as teething rings, becomes a health hazard. A regular rubber band could also cause a reaction.. The employee (as well as the average consumer), as an individual, must find alternative products to these things. He/she must search for special products. .Other items like balls parents use to play with their children, balloons, and braces for teeth pose a health risk. More personal items like condoms, diaphragms, and clothing that