TY  - BOOK
AU  - Ratnayake Upul
TI  - Natural rubber latex proteins and their allergy
PY  - 2002///
PB  - Bulletin of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka
KW  - Hevea brasiliensis
KW  - Latex protein allergy
N2  - Natural rubber latex obtained from Hevea brasiliensis contains 5-6;non-rubber substances out of which 2;is proteins. Latex protein allergy (Type 1 - Hypersensitivity) is mainly associated with only latex based products (mainly dipped products). Latex protein allergy is caused in sensitized persons due to non removal of extractable proteins in latex based products. Total extractable protein measurements of latex products are vital to ascertain the allerginicity of latex products. Extractable proteins in latex products are vital to ascertain the allerginicity of latex products. Extractable proteins in latex products are analyzed mainly using colourmetric methods. In order to minimize this allergy caused by latex products, it is important to remove as much extractable proteins as possible since even a minute quantity can cause allergic reactions in some sensitized persons. Proper leaching of latex products is the easiest and well known process for removing proteins from latex products. It is reported that techniques such as chlorination and polymer coating of latex gloves developed for the manufacture of powder free gloves have lowered the extractable proteins to extremely low levels. Radiation vulcanized natural latex (RVNRL) could also be used to manufacture of extractable protein free gloves. However manufacture of latex gloves from RVNRL has not yet been commercialized mainly due to high investment cost
ER  -