Wave goodbye to latex allergies
Latex allergies are rapidly becoming an issue for those using gloves on a regular basis and can result in more than a simple irritation. Nitritex examines available alternatives that provide the comfort and feel of latex, while drastically reducing instances of allergies
Various studies have outlined that immediate (Type 1) hypersensitivity to natural rubber latex tends to be caused by certain naturally-occurring soluble allergenic proteins found in latex1. Additionally, a range of processing chemicals are used during the manufacture of natural rubber latex products which may cause Type 4 allergic reactions1.
Type 1 latex allergy receives the most attention due to its potential to kill; however Type 4 allergies are much more common. The main causes of Type 4 allergies are:
- Exposure to perspiration inside the glove (contact dermatitis) and
- Contact with chemicals remaining on the glove surface after manufacturing (Irritant dermatitis)
In order to reduce the incidence of Type 4 allergies, it is vital to wear gloves that have been thoroughly leached (washed) post-production to ensure very low or undetectable levels of extractables. It is an unfortunate fact however, that many gloves in use today, both latex and non-latex, have been the cause of Type 4 allergies.
The use of gloves manufactured from natural latex has dramatically increased in recent times. Consequently it has been estimated that up to 30% of the glove using population will have an associated allergy and 43% will have some sort of skin irritation2.
Within these groups a latex sensitivity of 10% has been observed, indicating that 3% of all users are at risk2. An allergic reaction to latex proteins (Type I) is typified by an almost immediate hypersensitivity and resulting in anaphylaxis (hypertension, rash and bronchospasm).
Legal considerations
All employers have a ‘duty of care’ to their employees. This is to ensure that employees are not exposed to any activity that might be considered harmful to themselves or their fellow workers. This duty of care extends to the provision of gloves for employee protection.
It is virtually inevitable then, that if an employer continues to insist upon employees wearing latex gloves, at some time in the future one or more of these employees will develop a latex protein allergy. This would be a breach of the employer’s ‘duty of care’, especially when it could be proven that alternative non-latex gloves were available that could have prevented Type 1 latex protein allergy.
Price & comfort
Although there has been a steady increase in the usage of non-latex sterile cleanroom gloves, the price of these gloves has remained higher than those made of natural rubber latex. With all companies looking to save money rather than increase their costs, the higher price has been a major barrier to a move to non-latex gloves.
Many tasks in cleanrooms involve work of a delicate nature, frequently requiring great dexterity. If a glove is too thick it will have poor tactility, which will make delicate or fine work difficult. It may also take considerably longer to finish, hence reducing productivity.
When employees are wearing gloves for long periods, it is vital that their gloves are comfortable. Some gloves do not have an optimal anatomical fit and combining this with the low elasticity of non-latex copolymers leads to hand fatigue and reduced dexterity.
Non-latex progress
While substantial success has been achieved in reducing the level of accelerators in disposable gloves, only a handful of specialised producers have been able to eliminate their use completely. As a result, allergies occur frequently. This is particularly true for staff working in controlled and critical environments, many of whom are wearing gloves for extended periods.
In an effort to offset the risks associated with the use of natural rubber latex many glove manufacturers have turned to alternate materials, such as plastics and synthetic rubber.
These glove producers have been searching for a competitively priced, quality alternative to natural rubber latex and many offer nitrile, neoprene, vinyl and polyurethane as viable alternatives.
Moreover many believe that copolymers offer the best elasticity and comfort after latex. Gloves made with copolymers have excellent strength (similar to nitrile) and elasticity (similar to latex), attributes that significantly enhance wearer comfort.
Allergy solution
For a number of years research has been focused on alternative polymer materials that could be manufactured into gloves, using an aqueous-based environmentally friendly processes, and having the following key attributes:
- Free of latex proteins
- Very low accelerator levels, or accelerator-free
- Strength and elasticity
- Wearer comfort
- Competitively priced
One company that is currently making exciting inroads into the non-latex glove market is the UK based company, Nitritex Ltd. A manufacturer of cleanroom consumables, Nitritex, has introduced its BioClean range of sterile non-latex cleanroom gloves which have been developed to provide users with the best available non-latex alternatives. Manufactured from a proprietary blend of synthetic polymers, gloves from the BioClean range are:
- 100% latex-free to eliminate Type 1 latex protein allergy
- Either extensively leached to dramatically reduce the incidence of Type 4 allergies or produced without the use of accelerators
- Constructed from proprietary copolymer blends which mimic the strength and elasticity of natural rubber latex
- Anatomically shaped and made with a super-soft formulation to eliminate hand fatigue and give excellent user comfort
- Priced to compete directly with latex gloves
