Certified Latex Allergy Healthcare Worker (CLAHW)

The incidence of latex allergy ballooned during the 1990s. Several factors contributed to this sudden and dramatic rise in prevalence:

In 1992, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandated the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, requiring glove use by all healthcare workers, who were directed to take “universal precautions.”

The existing supply of latex could not keep up with demand.

Young Hevea trees were stimulated with chemicals to produce more latex, which also resulted in higher allergen levels.

Latex was not stored for its customary waiting period before being manufactured, further increasing the levels of allergens.

Impact
These higher levels of protein exacerbated the problem of latex allergy among medical and dental professionals by increasing exposure to H. brasiliensis allergens.