Eliminating the use of powdered latex gloves was the most effective strategy in preventing latex allergen exposure in healthcare workers sensitive to the substance, a new study reports. The Medical College of Wisconsin investigators also tested the levels of latex allergen in the air ducts of the employees’ primary work areas before and after the test sites implemented the switch to powder-free gloves. They were able to identify a substantial link between high levels of airborne allergen and healthcare workers with a latex allergy or sensitivity. Full findings appear in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
