Comments by Malaysian Minister

Standard Malaysian Glove

Latex protein allergy is, with the alleged exception of the United States, a relatively rare medical condition induced mainly through the use of poorly manufactured latex articles containing excessive levels of protein coming into contact with highly susceptible groups of people who are prone to skin allergies from a variety of causes, many of which can be used by "normal" people without harm. Examples of such materials include many materials and some common foods.

Peanuts, for instance, can be leathal to susceptible infants and great care has to be taken to ensure that products which may contain traces of peanut are carefully labelled: most European countries operate strict regulations to ensure that the danger of peanuts being accidentally ingested by infants is minimized. On the other hand, peanuts (ground nuts) form part of the staple diet in many countries.

The IRRDB considers that many organizations in the United States have grossly over-reacted to the latex protein allergy problem and that quasi-governmental organizations, such as NIOSH (an acronym for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), have produced documents containing sweeping statements many of which are highly questionable.

A NIOSH document on "Latex Allergy", widely available on the Internet, implied:

1. The allergy is to latex rather to the residual proteins which may be contained within it: the bulk of latex articles, such as gloves, is cis-polyisoprene.
   
   
2. The existence of "latex dust" (a virtual impossability), rather than to corn starch dust particles impregnated with latex protein.
   
   
3. Similarly, "latex contamination" must imply contamination with starch particles containing protein particles from the latex.
   
   
4. Automobile tyres contain "latex". It is analogous to stating that such tyres contain benzene (from the synthetic rubber component).
   
   
5. Other products manufactured from dry rubber may contain latex proteins.
   
   
6. It would be extremely difficult, probably impossible, to create latex dust as such: research into the production of powdered natural rubber has always been hampered by the strong tendency for such powders to agglomerate.
   
   
7. One of the great strengths of natural rubber, whether in tyres or in gloves, is its coherence.

The NIOSH document mentioned cornstarch only once: it is probable that NIOSH officials have a greater fear of the US cornstarch lobby than overseas producers of latex. Furthermore, it is probable that the failure to call it a protein allergy may be fear of pressure from other US producer lobbies, especially that for peanuts.

Clearly, the economic implications of what is in effect a ban on the use of (1) powdered gloves and (2) latex gloves for non-infectious applications, such as food handling, are considerable and may appear to have been drawn up to give American manufacturers of synthetic substitutes considerable competitive edge.

It is difficult to dispute that there is a latex protein allergy problem, especially in the USA. The true statistical nature of it is not established in the NIOSH document. The sufferers are frequently seeking financial redress and the powerful US legal and medical industries encourage (1) an excessive number of false claims and (2) excessive caution by some users of gloves.

There seems to be no awareness within North America of the rareness of allergy to latex proteins where these are encountered routinely as in the natural rubber producing industry. The dangers of "latex proteins in tyres and other products manufactured from natural rubber" has been subject to wild allegations on the Internet and elsewhere. Very little consideration appears to have been given to the carcinogenic nature of the many alternative materials being proposed.

It should not be forgotten that natural rubber products have been used in close proximity with the body without harm for over a century. Long-term exposure to many of the competitive materials may induce similar, or worse, health problems. Advice on how to produce gloves with low protein levels is freely available. Some of the alternative materials are based omn carcinogenic monomers; others produce deadly dioxin during incineration.

The Malaysian Minister of Primary Industries, who was trained as a medical practitioner, made many cogent comments concerning the problem during a mission to Europe late last year.

It is important to know that there is simply no alternative to natural latex gloves. There is no synthetic alternative which can match NR latex gloves in the sum total of its properties.

That includes :

• Superior barrier performance
• High tensile strength
• Coupled with extreme softness
• It can rightly be classed as a green, environmentally friendly product

Sometimes it gets so ridiculous that in the US we have got latex-free hospitals. With the skull and cross-bones and all. Latex-Free! Ridiculous! That is the other extreme. Yes we need to be aware of this allergy, but at the same time, we must know there are differences between NR gloves and SR gloves. With this balance, then we must also be aware of the benefits as well as the side effects of these latex gloves.

Now it is not my intention to give a lecture in LPA. There are experts who can do that. It suffices for me to assure you that the Malaysian government is fully committed in addressing the latex protein allergy problem. This is not only because latex glove industry is an important sector of our economy, but also because it is our duty as responsible glove producing country to ensure that health care personnel are given the best and safest protective device available in the market.

It is important to know that there is simply no alternative to natural latex gloves. There is no synthetic alternative which can match NR latex gloves in the sum total of its properties.

If it is still scary, then let me know, and we will reduce it. Of course you will pay a premium for what you want. Malaysian rubber glove makers have come a long way since the boom-bust years of the 80s. They have made tremendous progress in the manufacturing technology and Malaysia has positioned itself as the world leading manufacturer of quality latex gloves, meeting some 70 percent of global demand, particularly in the US and Europe.

The time is right for a concept and a scheme which should at once meet the increasing, exacting demands of the consumers and offer Malaysian made latex gloves as a technically graded and quality guaranteed product. For that we have come up with the Standard Malaysian Glove, or SMG scheme. This scheme receives the full support of the MPI (Ministry of Primary Industries), the MITI (Ministry of International Trade And Industry), the MoH (Ministry of Health) of Malaysia and related government agencies. Participation in the SMG scheme is a voluntary one.

Participating factories in the SMG scheme must ensure that: the factories practice an accredited quality management system, that their products meet guaranteed limits for powder and extractable protein and the consistency in certain basic physical properties.

One of the main objectives of the SMG scheme is to address latex protein allergy concerns. By washing away the proteins and reducing the protein content, by limiting the protein level, we hope to minimize the risk of sensitization and to assure our customers that they are buying the best medical gloves in the market today. I have great pleasure therefore to launch the SMG scheme in the UK. This serves to reflect Malaysia's continuing role as the pace-setter in quality assurance for the natural rubber glove industry. I have great faith that the technical specifications that are introduced with the SMG scheme will meet with the immediate acceptance of the consumers.