QUANTIFICATION OF OCCUPATIONAL LATEX AEROALLERGENS IN A MEDICAL-CENTER

To determine the quantity, variability and mean aerodynamic diameter o f latex aeroallergens in a large medical center we collected air sampl es from work sites by using area and personal breathing zone air sampl es, and we measured latex allergens by an inhibition assay with IgE an tibodies from latex-sensitive individuals. Latex aeroallergen concentr ations in 11 areas where powdered latex gloves were frequently used ra nged from 13 to 208 ng/m(3), and in areas where powdered latex gloves were never or seldom used, concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 1.8 ng/m( 3). Installation and use of a laminar flow glove changing station in o ne work area did not reduce latex aeroallergen levels. Large quantitie s of allergen were recovered from used laboratory coats and anesthesia scrub suits and from laboratory surfaces. Later allergen concentratio ns in personal breathing zone samplers worn by health care workers in areas where powdered gloves were frequently used ranged from 8 to 974 ng/m(3). Exposure likely occurs when gloves are changed and as a resul t of resuspension from reservoirs of powder in the room and clothing. Latex allergens were found in all particle sizes but were predominant in particles greater than 7 mu m in mass median aerodynamic diameter. Results of electrophoretic immunoblotting showed that the aeroallergen s are primarily the higher molecular mass components of the latex glov e proteins. Measures to control exposure can be monitored by both area and personal air sampling with this immunochemical approach. Use of g loves with low allergen content or powder-free gloves appears to be mo re effective than use of a laminar flow glove changing station in redu cing aeroallergen levels.