Natural rubber latex allergy: occupational exposure to latex glove among clinical laboratory workers.

Occupational exposure to various environmental factors usually produces serious health problems among the employees all over the world. Allergy is an important cause of work related i l lness. During 1980s and 90s allergy to Natural Rubber Latex(NRL),which contain a complex blend of water soluble plant proteinshas become a major source of concern in clinical science (1). Latex is ubiquitous in medical equipments and devices. Patients and health care professionals are at risk for developing sensitization to latex and possibly serious allergic reactions following exposure to any of these products. The incidence of latex allergy in the health care and scientific personal varies from 17-36% costing a huge economic loss annually to treat (1). The use of latex glove by health care workers has increased, largely due to concern about blood-borne infections. This has been paralleled by a growth of symptoms suggestive of latex allergy (2, 3).