Both Bennett and Phillips, suffer from a variety of latex allergy symptoms which include severe upper respiratory problems, skin rashes, wheezing, swelling of the mouth area and airways. Both women, who have a combined total of 15 years in the medical field, are estimated to have worn tens of thousands of latex gloves during their respective careers. Both women report no prior allergic reactions. We will show the alarming health hazards of improperly manufactured latex gloves and how these two women, who devoted their lives to the care of others, are now virtual prisoners inside their own homes due to health problems. A variety of everyday common products are made with latex including tennis shoes, balloons, underwear elastic, rubber bands, carpet backing, car tires and toys.
Medical products made of latex include bandages, stethoscopes and latex-cuffed enemas.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the demand for latex increased with heightened need to protect against AIDS, HIV and other similar diseases. By late 1992, the Food and Drug Administration received more than 1,100 reports of serious allergic reaction to patients and health care workers associated with latex products.