N. Chaiear et al., Sensitisation to natural rubber latex: an epidemiological study of workersexposed during tapping and glove manufacture in Thailand, OCC ENVIR M, 58(6), 2001, pp. 386-391
Citations number
40
Categorie Soggetti
Envirnomentale Medicine & Public Health","Pharmacology & Toxicology
Objectives-To estimate the prevalence of sensitisation to natural rubber la
tex in latex tappers and latex glove factory workers, and to relate this to
airborne exposure to latex.
Methods-Five hundred workers employed in three latex glove factories, 314 t
appers, and 144 college students (control group) were studied. The workers
in the glove factories were classified into three exposure groups; high, mo
derate, and low. Personal exposures to natural rubber latex aeroallergens w
ere measured by immunoassay. Symptom questionnaires and skin prick tests wi
th latex allergens (Stallergenes 1:200 w/v) and other common environmental
allergens were performed. The criterion for positivity was a wheal reaction
at least 3 mm in diameter greater than that to a diluent control.
Results-The geometric mean (GM) concentration of latex in air was 15.4 mug/
m(3) for those employed in glove stripping, glove inspections, and packing
of powdered gloves. The moderate exposure glove manufacturing group and the
tappers had GM concentrations of 2.3 and 2.4 mug/m(3) respectively, compar
ed with United Kingdom users of latex powdered gloves,who had GM concentrat
ions of 0.5 mug/m(3). The prevalence of sensitisation to latex in the tappe
rs and latex glove factory workers was 1.3% and 1.7% respectively. No posit
ive cases were found among the college students. Workers who showed a posit
ive skin prick test to latex were more likely to be atopic. Work related re
spiratory and dermatological symptoms were found in about 20% of each popul
ation studied, but were not related to the presence of positive latex prick
tests.
Conclusions-This study suggests that in the Thai latex industries, latex se
nsitisation is rare despite high concentrations of airborne exposure and is
less prevalent than in the healthcare sector in Europe where skin exposure
is greater.