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Q: Some of our workers seem to have allergies to latex or vinyl disposable gloves. What causes these problems?

Lab Safety Advisor, November 22, 2006

A: Allergenic proteins from rubber trees used to produce natural rubber latex are the source of Type I latex allergies. Coughing, sneezing, and rashes on the face and the skin under the gloves are Type I allergic symptoms.

In the manufacturing of latex, the proteins in the rubber help stabilize the latex as a free-flowing liquid, according to Nelson Schlatter from Ansell Protective Products. Once the liquid is mixed with other ingredients they have no further purpose.

Newly made gloves are leached, which removes much of the leftover protein. Manufacturers have been successful in improving the leaching procedure to reduce the residual amounts of allergenic proteins in gloves. While newer gloves are much less likely to cause workers to develop allergies, it is impossible to remove the proteins entirely. They may still trigger reactions in workers who already have become allergic.

Workers who know or suspect they have a latex allergy should consider switching to a synthetic alternative such as nitrile, neoprene, or vinyl gloves. Allergies to these types of gloves are less common but can cause Type VI reactions which only affect the skin under the gloves. These reactions are due to additive chemicals called accelerators. If an employee is highly sensitive to these gloves, accelerator-free nitrile and neoprene gloves are available.

Allergic reactions to vinyl gloves are almost nonexistent. Most of the time, the problem is contact uticaria, which is a simple skin irritation caused by perspiration and lack of ventilation inside the glove. Glove liners may be helpful in this case.

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