Allergy to natural rubber latex

✍ Scribed by Dori R. Germolec; Michael R. Woolhiser; B. Jean Mecade

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1999
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 734 KB
• Volume: 6
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1074-9098
• DOI: 10.1016/s1074-9098(99)00011-8

✦ Synopsis

atural rubber is used in the manufacture of over 40,000 products. The versatility, elasticity, tactile properties, and barrier capabilities of natural rubber latex (NRL) have been nearly impossible to reproduce using synthetic rubbers and elastomers. The rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, is primarily grown and cultivated in Southeast Asia; some trees are also harvested in South America and West Africa. The biology and manufacture of NRL is described in numerous other publications.l" Within collected latex serum are the rubber particles (cis-1,4-polyisoprene units) as well as significant amounts of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. When the latex is collected, chemicals such as ammonia, formaldehyde, or zinc oxide are added to prevent coagulation, deterioration, and bacterial growth. Raw latex is centrifuged to separate the rubber particle fraction from the aqueous serum layer. Antioxidants are added to stabilize the highly reactive, unsaturated isoprene bonds and prevent deterioration of the final product. To produce dipped latex products such as gloves or condoms, molds (e.g., porcelain or glass)