But scientists now say the powder's dust spreads life-threatening latex allergens, strong enough that a few whiffs have sent nurses into shock. A consumer group urged the government january 7th to ban powdered latex gloves. The Food and Drug Administration acknowledged a serious problem and pledged to write rules quickly to minimize the danger, but stopped short of agreeing to a ban. Safer alternatives such as powder-free gloves are easily and currently available. An estimated 8 percent of the nation's 7 million health care workers have latex allergies that can cause reactions ranging from itching and hives to difficulty breathing and life-threatening shock.
Experts say thousands of patients are at risk, too.
Most are patients who undergo multiple surgeries, particularly as children. Between 40 percent and 65 percent of spina bifida patients, for example, have latex allergies. Glove makers successfully fought the ban but are facing lawsuits in other states by allergic health care workers who lost their jobs. The FDA has studied the problem for two years and encouraged glove makers to go powder-free, said medical device chief Dr. Bruce Burlington. We recognize the severity of the problem' Powdered latex gloves make up the vast majority of the U.S. surgical glove market.