Confusion over the term "Latex"

Manufacturer:My colleagues and I have been thinking about asking this question for a long time. We're all very confused by the word "latex". Shouldn't "latex" apply to all synthetic latexes besides natural rubber latex? We'd very pleased if you could enlighten us.

JohnWoon:This is a good question but in order to answer your question, we have to address the definition of "latex". Very simply, latex is a stable colloidal dispersion of rubber (or polymeric) particles in water (or aqueous medium). Hence, "latex" refers to all latexes (or latices) be it natural rubber or synthetic rubber.

I'm sure everyone in the latex industry (especially those involved in medical glove and condom industries) is aware of the requirement especially in the USA of labeling of all medical devices made from natural rubber latex. You must have come across the following statements:

- "Food and Drug Administration is requiring all medical devices containing latex to be labeled as such and to carry a caution that latex can cause protein allergic reactions..."

- "Caution: This Product Contains Natural Rubber Latex Which May Cause Allergic
Reactions."

- "Allergic reactions have been reported to a wide range of medical devices that contain latex, including latex surgical gloves, adhesive bandages, intravenous catheters…"

Obviously, all the three statements were erroneously written because:

1) latex is a liquid. Therefore a piece of glove or condom cannot possibly contain latex!
2) latex encompasses both natural rubber and synthetic rubber. Therefore it is wrong to say that latex can cause protein allergic reaction.

It would have been more correct to say "This product is made from natural rubber latex" or "This product does not contain natural rubber" or "Natural rubber latex can cause protein allergy"

I hope this would clear your confusion but don't ask me why all the experts in the USA got it all wrong. It is beyond me!

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