Latex Allergy Project Latex Allergy Project Natural latex rubber is a favoured material for many medical devices and household goods because of its high strength, elasticity, and low cost. Its widespread use causes no problems for the great majority of the population, including the majority of health care workers. A small percentage of the population is sensitive to natural latex rubber.
Symptoms can range from minor skin irritation to anaphylactic shock.
The percentage of health care workers sensitive to natural latex rubber is higher than the general population. The rising incidence of latex sensitization has parallelled the increased use of latex gloves. Our primary goal is to minimize the health risk and economic impact of latex sensitivity. We are working with professional medical associations to encourage awareness of natural rubber sensitivity as a possible cause of skin irritations, respiratory symptoms and systemic reactions, to assist in finding ways to accommodate the allergic worker and to minimize the development of a latex sensitivity in susceptible individuals. To this end, Bureau staff are contributing time to the initiatives described in the table.