Latex laboratory technicians

Kanerva et al. 1996). Natural rubber latex and laboratory animals are probably the most common causes of contact urticaria in the laboratory environment. Other types of noninfectious biological risk may include exposure to animal and plant proteins, e.g., flour, grains or feed, and decorative plants, and enzymes (Tarvainen et al. 1991). Contact urticaria from laboratory animals is more common in persons carrying out experiments with animals, e.g., laboratory technicians and chemists, than in those tending them. The former tasks involve more direct handling of the animals, their secretions, and their internal organs (Susitaival and Hannuksela 1997). 

Ethylenediamine is used in numerous industrial processes as a solvent for casein or albumin, as a stabilizer in rubber latex and as a textile lubricant. It can be found in epoxy-resin hardeners, cooling oils, fungicides, and waxes. Contact dermatitis from ethylenediamine is almost exclusively due to topical medicaments. Occupational contact dermatitis in epoxy-resin systems is rather infrequent. Ethylenediamine can cross react with triethylenetetramine and diethylenetriamine. Ethylenediamine was responsible for sensitization in pharmacists handling aminophylline suppositories, in nurses preparing and administering injectable theophylline, and in a laboratory technician in the manufacture of aminophylline tablets. 

All laboratory workers must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Safety goggles must be worn in laboratory areas. Face shields, laboratory coats or aprons, latex, rubber or heat-resistant gloves, dust masks and safety shoes may be required for specific work. Understanding the hazards of the materials at hand is important for wearing the appropriate PPE, but also for shunning excessive use of PPE. Overprotection may cause awkwardness and increase the possibility for injury. To strike a balance between reasonable and inordinate safety measures, the safety officer and analyst should communicate on how best to perform a given operation. In some laboratories, there may be a HAZM AT-certified PPE technician that can help in making these choices. 

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