In order to determine the percentage of the job market a person could
be precluded from as a result of a moderate to severe latex allergy,
it is useful to begin by compiling a list of occupations in which
latex exposure is likely.
"Because latex gloves provide positive protection against blood borne
pathogens, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of these
gloves -- especially among health care workers -- to meet worker
protection requirements adopted in the 1980s. With this increased use
and changes in glove manufacturing that resulted from the increased
demand, there has been a rise in reported allergic reactions by some
users. Studies indicate that 8% to 12% of exposed health care workers
suffer allergic reactions to latex. In addition, many individuals may
experience allergic irritant symptoms, such as skin rash, from the
chemicals used in the production of the latex products. In addition to
health care, other workers who are at risk but with less frequent
glove use include hairdressers, housekeepers, food service workers and
child care workers."
State of Washington: Department of Labor and Industries
http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/hazalerts/hz972.htm
Here is an excerpt from an article published by NIOSH (National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) about latex allergy in
the workplace:
"WHO IS AT RISK?
Workers with ongoing latex exposure are at risk for developing latex
allergy. Such workers include health care workers (physicians, nurses,
aides, dentists, dental hygienists, operating room employees,
laboratory technicians, and hospital housekeeping personnel) who
frequently use latex gloves and other latex-containing medical
supplies. Workers who use latex gloves less frequently (law
enforcement personnel, ambulance attendants, funeral-home workers,
fire fighters, painters, gardeners, food service workers, and
housekeeping personnel) may also develop latex allergy. Workers in
factories where latex products are manufactured or used can also be
affected."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: NIOSH
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/latexalt.html
These are among the occupations where latex allergy may be a factor
that could adversely affect employment opportunities:
Child care workers
Dentists & dental hygienists
Firemen
Food service workers
Garden & landscape workers
Hairdressers
Health care workers
Housekeepers & janitors
Latex factory workers
Morticians
Painters
Police officers
It should be noted, however, that not all the jobs in these
occupations necessarily involve contact with latex products. My
research indicates that health care workers and latex factory workers
are the groups which report the greatest number of work-related
adverse reactions to latex.
Here is an estimate of the amount of occupational exposure to latex
that exists in the United Kingdom:
"A large part of the UK workforce suffers occupational exposure to
latex - perhaps as many as one million (4%) of the workforce."
Bandolier Journal
http://www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/bandopubs/NHSSlatex.html
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor
Statistics, there were 145,594,000 jobs in the United States in the
year 2000. By 2010, it is estimated that this number will have risen
to 167,754,000.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.bls.gov/emp/emptab21.htm
The occupational profiles of the United States and the United Kingdom
are relatively similar. If we accept the figure of 4% of the workforce
being exposed to latex on the job, we reach an estimate of 5,823,760
jobs (in 2000) in which an American worker would be at a disadvantage
if he or she were allergic to latex. Using the same 4% figure, and
following BLS projections, this number may rise to 6,710,160 by 2010.
Search terms used:
"latex allergy"
"latex allergies"
"latex exposure"
"occupational exposure"
"exposure on the job"
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pinkfreud |
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