The first report of allergic reactions to rubber appeared in 1979. The use of latex medical products like gloves increased tremendously during the 1980s to reduce possible exposure to infected patients or body fluids. This sudden increase in demand for latex, especially gloves, meant that new manufacturers emerged, that new industrial processes evolved, and that perhaps new or subtly different sources of raw material were used. Products used today may have higher concentrations of allergens as a result of some or all of these changes, or new latex allergens may have been created.
Occupational exposure is widespread.
About one million people work in the NHS, and many are exposed to latex. As well as medical and dental personnel, and rubber industry workers, the need to avoid body fluid contact extended exposure to other areas of society. Police officers now routinely use latex gloves when dealing with injured people. Even criminals use latex gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints. Those receiving health care are also exposed.