Natural rubber latex proteins are recognized as a cause of Type I (Immediat
e Type Hypersensitivity) reaction in some individuals who have been exposed
to latex devices. Residual former-release, stripping, and/or donning powde
rs have been found to carry these allergenic proteins into the air during h
andling and use. Exposure to airborne glove powder contaminated with latex
allergens is known to provoke respiratory allergic symptoms in latex-sensit
ized individuals and may make it difficult for these individuals to continu
e working in jobs involving such exposure. The Food and Drug Administration
has proposed a maximum level of 120 mg of donning powder/particulates per
glove on powdered gloves. A survey was conducted to determine current powde
r levels on commercially available powdered latex patient examination glove
s and surgeons' gloves. Ninety-seven samples of powdered latex medical glov
es representing 32 different brands produced by foreign and domestic manufa
cturers for the U.S. market were evaluated for residual powders per glove b
y ASTM D 6124-00, Standard Test Method for Residual Powder on Medical Glove
s. Powder levels ranged from 37 to 260 mg per glove for patient examination
gloves and 30 to 513 mg per glove for surgeons' gloves. Of the gloves test
ed, 55.7% met the new maximum powder guidelines.