title: Airborne particles from latex gloves in the hospital environment.
abstract: Air sampling studies are described which show high levels of airborne starch powder contamination in areas where powdered latex gloves are used. Furthermore, culture of collected samples show a clear association between starch particles and bacterial colonies in an experimental system suggesting that airborne particles could act as a vector for pathogens in the hospital environment.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Research Department, Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Newsom
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D000391:Air Microbiology; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001513:Beds; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000635:transmission; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005932:Gloves, Surgical; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007840:Latex / Q000032:analysis*; D009873:Operating Rooms; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011208:Powders / Q000032:analysis; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D013213:Starch / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000485:Allergens; D007840:Latex; D011208:Powders; D013213:Starch