There is bound to be a suspicion that because the United States Government had advocated the use of (mainly) latex barriers to avert a health risk which it perceived to be of catastrophic dimensions (the AIDS epidemic) that the same governmental forces would be thrown at any perceived consequence of this action (the latex protein allergy problem). Thus the various political measures which are being employed to restrict the use of latex gloves, many of which are manifestly unfair, especially those relating to the non-medical use of latex gloves, have to be balanced against the increase in market for latex barriers which was created by the FDA's reaction to the AIDS epidemic.

Many of the alternative materials being proposed are questionable either because they fail to act as an effective barrier, or because they are potentially dangerous, or are perceived to be potentially dangerous in Europe. Vinyl gloves are potentially dangerous both through being based on a chlorinated polymer and for containing plasticisers: as noted earlier they are also ineffectual barriers against pathogens. The disposal of chlorinated polymers is an increasing cause for concern (although this may also affect chlorinated natural rubber latex gloves).

American farmers are probably the most powerful political lobby on this planet as is evidenced by the current battle at the World Trade Organization between the Americans who wish to export beef from hormone-treated cattle, and the Europeans who have decided that such hormone treatment is potentially dangerous. Similar battles may be expected over genetically modified crops. Such a body would not be willing to hear any "derogatory comments" concerning corn or starch from a US governmental agency, even though this is a prime suspect in the latex protein saga. Moreover, although far more Americans, many of whom are infants, routinely die through eating peanuts than will ever die from an allergic reaction to latex. Peanuts are grown on a vast scale in the USA, whereas latex comes from some "obscure" tropical countries. Furthermore, it should be noted that both of the protagonists in such battles (a further one is the export of British beef, which may be affected by BSE, to France) tend to quote scientific evidence.

At a recent rubber conference in Manchester Haydn Williams⁴ closed his contribution by noting that :"The casual reader or web surfer on the subject of latex allergy could easily form the impression that there is a crisis of epidemic proportions. This is not so. While in no way denying the very real suffering of some individuals due to allergy, it must be remembered that such individuals are in a small minority. Billions of gloves are used annually in protecting healthcare workers from the very real threat of infection by deadly viruses and antimicrobial resistant micro-organisms.

Natural rubber latex, furthermore, is universally agreed to be the best barrier to such organisms. These are essential uses that have very real positive consequences for those at risk of infection. The enormous amount of independent research and international collaboration on understanding the issues involved in latex allergy is bearing fruit. Standards to control allergen levels are and will be developed, and processes are in place to bring about product improvements. Continued efforts in this direction coupled with education of end users will lead to a continued reduction in risk of sensitisation and result in a situation where the vast majority of NR glove users can continue to do so with confidence that they have the best and safest barrier to infection on their hands".

Environment friendly latex gloves

Environment-friendly natural rubber gloves by A. Ikram (Malaysian Rubber Board Monograph No. 2) compares the natural biodegradation of glove pieces made from natural rubber, polychloroprene, nitrile and vinyl after burial in two types of soil. After one year the bulk of the natural rubber films had biodegraded, but this was not the case for any of the synthetics, although the thin vinyl films did start to degrade presumably due to the presence of plasticizer and the inherent weakness of the films.

References
⁴Williams, Haydn. Natural rubber latex allergy - a problem in perspective. International Rubber Exhibition and Conference, Manchester 1999, London Crain Communications, 1999