REPORT TITLE:
DOH; Latex Allergy Study


DESCRIPTION:
Requires DOH to conduct study regarding nature and extent of the
dangers associated with the use of latex products, the benefits
of eliminating their use or requiring the use of low-protein
latex products, the potential costs of restricting the use of
latex products, and identifying health care facilities that have
implemented or are implementing safety recommendations of the
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.  Report to
legislature by 11/30/99.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        462
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES                H.B. NO.           H.D. 1        
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT
RELATING TO A STUDY OF LATEX PRODUCTS IN HAWAII BY THE DEPARTMENT
   OF HEALTH.



BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 1      SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that there are now a
 
 2 number of scientific reports pointing to allergic reactions among
 
 3 medical personnel who wear latex gloves.  Recent studies have
 
 4 claimed that as high as ten per cent of the health care and
 
 5 medical professionals who wear latex gloves suffer from an
 
 6 allergic reaction.  The individuals who typically wear latex
 
 7 gloves include dentists, dental assistants, laboratory
 
 8 technicians, nurses, and doctors.
 
 9      The danger from latex gloves is a result of allergic
 
10 reactions to the proteins contained in the latex.  Most commonly,
 
11 individuals exposed may develop "contact dermatitis" -- a rash.
 
12 However, it is claimed that those who are exposed to higher
 
13 levels of latex proteins may develop severe and irreversible
 
14 injury, including death.  With continued exposure, chronic
 
15 lesions are claimed to have developed which can cause anaphylaxis
 
16 or suffocation.
 
17      As the demand for these products has increased rapidly over
 
18 the last ten years, especially with the need for protection from
 
19 AIDS transmission, the need for higher production levels of these
 
20 products has allegedly resulted in a faster manufacturing process
 

 
Page 2                                                     462
                                     H.B. NO.           H.D. 1        
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 which produces a higher protein content.  Since the early 1980s,
 
 2 the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has
 
 3 urged the use of latex gloves to prevent AIDS transmission.  In
 
 4 some settings, the use of latex is so prevalent that the air is
 
 5 contaminated with the protein.  However, there may be alternative
 
 6 materials for gloves for the medical profession to use which may
 
 7 save lives.  The purpose of this Act is to determine the precise
 
 8 nature and extent of the dangers associated with the use of latex
 
 9 products, the benefits of eliminating their use or requiring the
 
10 use of low-protein latex products, and the potential costs of
 
11 restricting the use of latex products through a thorough review
 
12 of the existing scientific research.
 
13      SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of health shall conduct a
 
14 study of the health consequences associated with the use of latex
 
15 products in the provision of health care.  The study shall
 
16 include but not be limited to an analysis of the following:
 
17      (1)  The extent to which powdered latex products are used by
 
18           health care providers in caring for patients in Hawaii;
 
19      (2)  The benefit to the health of patients and health care
 
20           providers of limiting or eliminating the use of
 
21           powdered latex products in the provision of health
 
22           care;
 
23      (3)  The benefit to the health of patients and health care
 

 
Page 3                                                     462
                                     H.B. NO.           H.D. 1        
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1           providers of lowering the protein level in latex
 
 2           products; 
 
 3      (4)  The cost to health care providers or employers of
 
 4           health care providers of using only nonpowdered low
 
 5           protein latex products in the provision of health care;
 
 6           and
 
 7      (5)  Identification of those health care facilities that
 
 8           have implemented, or are in the process of
 
 9           implementing, the following recommendations of the
 
10           National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health:
 
11           (A)  Provide workers with nonlatex gloves to use when
 
12                there is little potential for contact with
 
13                infectious materials (for example, in the food
 
14                service industry).
 
15           (B)  Appropriate barrier protection is necessary when
 
16                handling infectious materials (CDC 1987).  If
 
17                latex gloves are chosen, provide reduced protein,
 
18                powder-free gloves to protect workers from
 
19                infectious materials.
 
20           (C)  Ensure that workers use good housekeeping
 
21                practices to remove latex-containing dust from the
 
22                workplace:
 
23                (i)  Identify areas contaminated with latex dust
 

 
Page 4                                                     462
                                     H.B. NO.           H.D. 1        
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1                     for frequent cleaning (upholstery, carpets,
 
 2                     ventilation ducts, and plenums).
 
 3                (ii) Make sure that workers change ventilation
 
 4                     filters and vacuum bags frequently in latex-
 
 5                     contaminated areas.
 
 6           (D)   Provide workers with education programs and
 
 7                training materials about latex allergy.
 
 8           (E)  Periodically screen high-risk workers for latex
 
 9                allergy symptoms.  Detecting symptoms early and
 
10                removing symptomatic workers from latex exposure
 
11                are essential for preventing long-term health
 
12                effects.
 
13           (F)  Evaluate current prevention strategies whenever a
 
14                worker is diagnosed with latex allergy.
 
15      (b)  The department of health shall report its findings and
 
16 recommendations to the legislature no later than November 30,
 
17 1999.
 
18      SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.