Nine deaths were reported. Allergists first suspected barium, but several victims had reactions before they received barium. The cause was traced to a latex enema tip. The New York manufacturer voluntarily recalled the product, and the FDA issued a bulletin asking physicians to report allergic reactions to latex products. But the federal agency this year proposed mandatory labeling of latex products used in clinical settings.
Many manufacturers already label medical and dental products on a voluntary basis.
Latex comes from the milky sap of the commercial rubber tree, Hevea Brasiliensis, and it is the main component of natural rubber. Latex contains hundreds of proteins, including enzymes that are involved in the biosynthesis of the rubber molecules. Additional chemicals, such as accelerators and antioxidants, are added for strength, stretch and durability. Gloves and other medical and dental appliances with latex components have proven for years to be strong, flexible and reliable. Since latex is so useful in dentistry and medicine and is so widely used, schools such as the Health Science Center and hospitals such as University Hospital in San Antonio, one of its major teaching centers, have searched for ways to minimize the allergy risk without scrapping all use of latex.