Latex allergy
The protein in rubber can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This reaction can range from skin rash and sneezing to anaphylactic shock, which is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
The thin, stretchy latex rubber in gloves, condoms and balloons is high in this protein. It causes more allergic reactions than products made of hard latex rubber (such as tyres). Also, because some latex gloves are coated with corn starch powder to make them easier to put on and take off, the latex protein particles stick to the corn starch and fly into the air when the gloves are taken off. In places where gloves are being put on and removed frequently, the air may contain many latex particles.
Latex sheeting used for fashion clothing should be leached to remove most of the harmful allergenic proteins. Leaching is a process in which the latex is passed through a bath of water just after curing. Manufacturers such as Radical Rubber leach their latex to conform to international medical standards, since the same latex is also used in the manufacture of dental dams and for other medical applications.
There have been instances of people being affected by latex allergies caused by latex garments bought from Chinese sources. German customs have been know to impound latex garments imported from China as constituting a health hazard. Most of the latex sheeting used in the manufacture of latex garments in China is apparently unleached and therefore can contain dangerously high levels of allergenic proteins. It is probably advisable not to buy from suppliers whose source of latex sheeting is unknown.
It has been claimed that chlorination of the latex reduces the risk of an allergic reaction, but the evidence is uncertain.
