Health and Economic Outcomes in Latex Allergic Health Care Workers (HCWs) with Clinical Reactions Associated with Utilization of Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) Gloves

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bernstein D ; Biagini, Raymond E. ; Karnani R ; Murphy K ; Bernstein D ; Biagini, Raymond E. ; Karnani R ; Murphy K
• Description:
  The aim of this survey is to assess the long-term health and economic impacts of occupational latex disorders in affected HCWs. Twenty-four HCWs who were skin prick test positive to NRL allergens (mean age 40.3) were surveyed. All reported immediate-onset NRL glove reactions including: 9 with contact hives; 5 with rhinitis and hives; 2 with asthma symptoms and hives; and 8 with hives, rhinitis and asthma symptoms. In the latter group, 3 of 8 subjects experienced one episode of anaphylaxis requiring emergency care. Mean glove exposure was 5.7 yrs. (range: 0.08-20 yrs.) before onset of symptoms, and mean interval of symptoms prior to intervention was 1.3 yrs (range 0 mo. to 6 yrs). Employers implemented intervention in 23 HCWS; 1 worker continued to use NRL gloves and contact hives persisted. Nineteen switched to non-latex gloves; 2 changed to powder-free latex gloves. Two HCWs were moved to latex free areas. The mean interval since intervention was 5.4 yrs. (range: 0.17-12yrs). In all 23 HCWs, interventions resulted in resolution in glove related contact urticaria. Thirteen of 16 HCWs with any respiratory symptoms noted resolution or improvement in symptoms after intervention. Of 8 with asthma symptoms, 7 were classified as mild episodic; 1 required maintenance inhaled beclomethasone. Three HCWs with prior anaphylactic reactions had no recurrence after changing to non-NRL gloves. There was a mean reduction in annual income of 33% among 3 workers who were compelled to change jobs due to NRL hypersensitivity. Clinical outcomes in this group of NRL sensitized HCWs with work-related allergic reactions were generally favorable but incurred a deleterious economic outcome in a minority (13%) of workers. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Chemistry Dermatitis Hypersensitivity Irritants Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Respiratory Hypersensitivity Safety Skin Skin Diseases
• Keywords:
  Allergic-dermatitis Allergic-reactions Chemical-reactions Gloves Respiratory-hypersensitivity Respiratory-irritants Skin-exposure Skin-irritants Skin-sensitivity
• ISSN:
  0091-6749
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary ; Proceedings ; Abstract or Summary ; Proceedings
• Place as Subject:
  Maryland ; OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DRDS - Division of Respiratory Disease Studies ; DRDS - Division of Respiratory Disease Studies
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health ; Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America ; North America
• Volume:
  107
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20033714
• Citation:
  J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001 Feb; 107(2)(Suppl):S242-S243
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2001
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
• Supplement:
  Suppl
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:0dfa829cef467490aa5fb9e7b6d72eeef6a7fd3b26dd6714f9e0e62dc70fca55a3a27e70ea1d4542900f4e6ce4f1a85c1372534a11d475608ea2aee8d200ce8b
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/189180/cdc_189180_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 335.28 KB ]