 |
 100 Blue Nitrile Medical Exam Safety Gloves Extra Large Size Latex Powder Free $19.99 Time Remaining: 7d 2h 55m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 100 Disposable Vinyl Glove Non Latex non Sterile Size M Box Lab Medical Tattoo $10.99 Time Remaining: 5d 4h 31m Buy It Now for only: $10.99 |
 Microflex Black Dragon Gloves Latex Gloves Medical or Tattoo L NIB BD 1003 PF $9.00 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 35m Buy It Now for only: $9.00 |
 Lot of 10 Packs 10 Count 100 latex Disposable Glove Professional Medical Quality $11.99 Time Remaining: 17d 3h 27m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
 NEW 7 qty Maxxim Medical SensiCare SMALL Non Latex Medical Exam Gloves FREE SHIP $59.99 Time Remaining: 7d 21h 37m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
 Microflex Black Dragon Gloves Latex Gloves Medical or Tattoo M NIB BD 1002 PF $9.00 Time Remaining: 3d 3h 21m Buy It Now for only: $9.00 |
 100 Blue Nitrile Medical Exam Safety Gloves Medium Size Latex Powder Free $19.99 Time Remaining: 7d 2h 53m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Lot 80 Protex N95 Respirator Dust Masks Medical Home Industry Shop Latex Free $29.95 Time Remaining: 22d 14h 37m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 |
 N DEX Nitrile Medical Examination Gloves Latex Free $5.00 Time Remaining: 11d 18h 24m Buy It Now for only: $5.00 |
 100 Blue Nitrile Medical Exam Safety Gloves Large Size Latex Powder Free $19.99 Time Remaining: 7d 2h 54m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Latex Textured Exam Medical First Aid Gloves Clinic 1000 Gloves Case Tattoo $88.00 Time Remaining: 10d 3h 23m Buy It Now for only: $88.00 |
 1000 Flu Masks Blue Ear Loop Latex Free 3 Ply Medical $43.50 Time Remaining: 4d 5h 25m Buy It Now for only: $43.50 |
Medical Latex
What Mothers, Children, and Healthcare Workers Need to Know: An Ongoing Story about the Dangers of Latex
What Mothers, Children, and Healthcare Workers Need to Know: An Ongoing Story about the Dangers of Latex
By Fred Weiner, Dentist in Chicago
Article One of a Seven Part Series
Although there has been much research about the harmful effects of materials like latex, plastic, and vinyl, the public is still far too unaware of the dangers of these materials that they use everyday. I, Fred Weiner, am a dentist in Chicago and have published several articles about these dangers and potential solutions two years ago. I have decided to revisit the issue in more detail to increase awareness. This is the first article in a seven part series outlining the basic make-ups of latex and vinyl and what exactly makes them so harmful to the everyday consumer, particularly healthcare workers, mothers and their children.
In its original form, latex is a sap-like fluid produced by over 12,000 plants, ranging from the dandelion to milkweed. Scientists can than make the liquid latex into a hydrocarbon polymer, or natural rubber, to make products like dentist gloves, pacifiers, baby bottles and balloons.
Although an all-natural substance, latex is actually the source of some serious side effects. The most common side effect is Natural Rubber Latex allergy, often referred to as NRL or Type-1 allergy. NRL is a systematic reaction to the proteins found in latex. Type IV, on the other hand, is a delayed reaction to the processing chemicals and occurs between 48 hours and 96 hours after initial exposure. The symptoms of NRL include hives, sneezing, cramps, headaches, and asthma. Some people have even more serious reactions, including anaphylactic shock.
The reason why some have NRL and some do not is unknown, but research has shown that those with more exposure to latex are far more likely to have symptoms. Those most likely to have NRL are health care workers, with 8%-17% suffering from the allergy, and children who need multiple surgeries, particularly for spina bifida, with up to 68% at risk.
Latex gloves that contain powder are particularly dangerous, as they enable more latex protein to reach the skin, as described by the National Institute on Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIOSH further explains that when professionals change their gloves such powder, and thus latex proteins, enter the air and can then be inhaled by medical workers and patients alike.
Because of these harmful effects many states have banned the use of latex gloves in medical firms and restaurants, and are instead switching to vinyl gloves. However, vinyl also leads to serious health risks because it contains Di phthalate, or DEHP, which the New York Times reported can lead to testicular cancer in infants and young men.
Because of the safety hazards associated with latex and vinyl, they are clearly unfit for medical gloves and common household products, particularly those that mothers and children use on an everyday basis. Potential alternatives to these dangerous materials need to be explored more thoroughly, and they will be discussed in a later article in this series.
About the Author
My name is Fred Weiner and I am a dentist in Chicago as well as the president of PerfectPractice Media, a digital marketing company. I am particularly intersted in issues regarding family and children.
Links:
perfectpracticemedia.com
fwloop.com
what brand of latex gloves should i buy?
i'd perfer that they are medical grade. any suggestions?
Tojan.
nurse putting on gloves