Cotton fluffs as latex allergen carriers in a glove factory.
BACKGROUND
Latex allergens released from gloves and bound to airborne cornstarch powder have been shown to cause respiratory allergy in health care workers.


OBJECTIVE
Cornstarch from powdered latex gloves is a well-known carrier of airborne allergens. It should be investigated whether cotton fluffs used to lubricate household and industrial gloves also function as airborne carriers for latex allergens.


METHODS
Latex gloves, cotton fluffs with or without latex glove contact, dipping water from the glove cooling tank, a dust sample from the floor, and 10 samples from area dust samplers were analyzed for their allergen content by using a CAP inhibition method. Furthermore, 84% (119/142) of the working group participated in a cross-sectional study involving a questionnaire and measurement of latex-specific IgE by means of CAP inhibition.


RESULTS
Latex gloves, area dust samples from latex glove production sites, and the floor dust sample contained high concentrations of latex allergens. Cotton fluffs were free of allergens before being in contact with gloves but showed considerable allergen concentrations after their removal from gloves. The dipping water of the cooling tank also contained latex allergens. Of the examined employees, 12.6% had IgE-mediated sensitization, and a third of the sensitized subjects (ie, 4% of the total group) reported work-related hypersensitivity reactions.


CONCLUSIONS
Cotton fluffs bind latex allergens and behave like cornstarch as airborne allergen carriers causing conjunctivitis and allergic respiratory disorders.
Baur
Xaver
X
Institute of Occupational Medicine, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000276:immunology*; D004337:Drug Carriers; D017575:Gloves, Protective; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D013213:Starch
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004337:Drug Carriers; D013213:Starch