Occupational asthma in a latex doll manufacturing plant

Occupational asthma caused by natural rubber latex

“…The authors found that airborne allergens were predominantly of high molecular weight (70-100 kDa), although it has not yet been shown that subjects with asthma are more specifically sensitized to these allergens as compared with subjects with other symptoms of NRL allergy. Workplace exposure to airborne NRL has also been documented to result from inhalation of dust generated by grinding NRL articles [13]. According to our clinical experience, nonoccupational exposure to airborne NRL is rare, but it may result from bursting toy balloons.…”

“…In a recent survey, NRL-induced asthma was documented in 2 out of 22 workers exposed to NRL dust in a latex-doll manufacturing plant [13].…”

“…Asthma may be part of a systemic reaction following contact with NRL, or may result from inhalation of NRL allergens. Although, a number of clinical and research papers on NRL allergy have been published in recent years, relatively few studies [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] have specifically addressed the problems raised by asthma due to airborne NRL. However, NRL-induced asthma should receive further medical attention, because it can lead to permanent functional impairment and occupational disability.…”

Occupational allergies caused by latex

“…In contrast, the prevalence of latex sensitization, assessed by prick skin testing, was only 1.3% in latex harvesters and 1.7% in workers from a latex glove factory in Thailand, despite personal mean exposures to latex aeroallergens greater than 1000 ng/m 3 [20]. Two of 22 workers in a manufacturing plant that produces latex dolls were noted to have flushing, rhinoconjunctivitis, and wheezing when exposed to sanded doll parts [21]. In a study of 35 current or former workers in a Swedish condom packaging factory, 10 workers reported work-related rhinoconjunctivitis, and 3 workers had occupational asthma [22].…”

Occupational asthma

“…In recent years, immediate-type allergy to latex has been acknowledged as a major occupational problem among glove-wearing health-care workers, kitchen workers, housekeeping personnel, and workers in industries that manufacture latex products (65). IgEmediated respiratory sensitization to this antigen has been recently reported (66)(67)(68)(69)(70). Tarlo et al (66) surveyed a rubber-processing plant, finding 11% prevalence of immediate skin reactivity to latex and 6% prevalence of OA.…”