Pseudo-Latex Allergy Associated with “Latex” Paint Exposure: A Potential Cause of Iatrogenic Disability

Details

• Personal Author:
  Kales SN ; Lee EC
• Description:
  OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe outcomes for three health care workers with natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy reporting illness after exposure to latex paint. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective review of medical and occupational histories, diagnostic, treatment, and work recommendations. Outcomes included lost time, workers compensation indemnity costs, and return to work. RESULTS: None of the paints contained NRL. Cases 1 and 2 initially were misdiagnosed as suffering allergic reactions to NRL, resulting in 7 and 23 months lost time, $15,790 and $139,000 indemnity costs, respectively, and both failing to return to work. Case 3 was correctly diagnosed as not exposed to NRL, with only several lost days, no indemnity costs, and continued to work. CONCLUSIONS: The failure to recognize that synthetic paints do not contain NRL can lead to misdiagnosis, inappropriate exposure, and work avoidance recommendations and iatrogenic disability. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Asthma Dermatitis Environmental Exposure Health Personnel Hypersensitivity Irritants Occupational Health Paint Personal Protective Equipment Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety

  More +
• Keywords:
  Anaphylactic Shock Bronchial Asthma Exposure Levels Gloves Health Care Workers Latex Latex Allergies Paints Risk Factors Urticaria
• ISSN:
  1076-2752
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  83-88
• Volume:
  48
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20057230
• Citation:
  J Occup Environ Med 2006 Jan; 48(1):83-88
• Contact Point Address:
  Stefanos N. Kales, MD, MPH, The Cambridge Health Alliance, Macht Building, Room 427, 1493 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
• Email:
  skales@challiance.org
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2006
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard School of Public Health
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• End Date:
  20280630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b4d0b0c3de0864c1d44d364bbadab5a1ed07fec9a6b0262235ab19d5fce845764e855736329f798018c84bab16fd88321a3d114a65a43ceb261da4189181084e
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214649/cdc_214649_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 153.20 KB ]