9.2720 Committee on Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Hospitals and health systems waiting for direction from the federal government will have to wait longer, and develop their own strategies to combat the effects of latex allergies. There was no clarification at a March 25 hearing of a House Education and Work force subcommittee.
Variations exist in the reported prevalence of natural rubber latex allergy.
This variation is probably due to different levels of exposure and methods of estimating latex sensitization or allergy. An FDA rule that took effect in September 1998 requires labels on medical devices containing latex. FDA and DHHS do not believe the recommendations contained in the draft bulletin conflict with FDA regulation. Further, FDA has been an active participant as the Bulletin has been developed. While OSHA medical officer Angela Presson told the committee the bulletin would serve as an advisory to compliance officers.