PRINTER'S NO. 1995
No. 196 Session of 1998
INTRODUCED BY MELLOW, THOMPSON, MUSTO, CONTI, BODACK, WILLIAMS,
O'PAKE, SCHWARTZ, KUKOVICH, KASUNIC, STAPLETON, TOMLINSON,
WAGNER, BELAN, AFFLERBACH, COSTA, STOUT AND TARTAGLIONE,
MAY 4, 1998
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, MAY 4, 1998
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1 Urging the Governor to establish a committee to study the
2 adverse effects of latex and latex-containing products.
3 WHEREAS, In 1997, after receiving over 1,700 reports of latex
4 allergy reactions, including 16 deaths, the United States Food
5 and Drug Administration ordered that any medical device
6 containing latex carry a warning about potential allergic
7 reactions; and
8 WHEREAS, The National Institute of Occupational Safety and
9 Health issued an alert in June 1997 requesting assistance in
10 preventing allergic reactions to natural rubber latex among
11 workers who use gloves and other products containing latex; and
12 WHEREAS, Latex gloves have been used as a tool in the health
13 care industry by health care workers to prevent the transmission
14 of many infectious diseases; and
15 WHEREAS, Latex is used in emergency equipment, personal
16 protective equipment, office supplies and hospital and household
17 supplies; and
1 WHEREAS, Latex is also used in other industries, such as
2 child care, food service and food processing; and
3 WHEREAS, With its growing use, there is more awareness that
4 latex and latex-containing products may trigger an allergic
5 reaction; and
6 WHEREAS, Allergic reaction to latex comes in three types:
7 irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis and
8 latex allergy; and
9 WHEREAS, Reactions to latex may include skin rashes, hives,
10 itching, swollen red skin, swollen lips and tongue, shortness of
11 breath, dizziness, fainting, eye or sinus symptoms, asthma and,
12 on rare occasions, shock; and
13 WHEREAS, Children with spina bifida and other conditions
14 involving multiple surgical procedures are at a greater risk to
15 an allergic reaction to latex due to the need for multiple
16 surgeries; and
17 WHEREAS, It is estimated that approximately 22,000
18 Pennsylvanians are currently at risk for developing this
19 allergy, including 40% to 65% of children with spina bifida; and
20 WHEREAS, The need to protect the residents of Pennsylvania
21 against latex allergies is a public health issue and should be
22 addressed in order to create a public policy on education and
23 prevention of latex allergic reactions; therefore be it
24 RESOLVED, (the House of Representatives concurring), That the
25 General Assembly urge the Governor, Thomas J. Ridge, to
26 establish a committee to study the adverse effects of latex and
27 latex-containing products and make a report that provides
28 recommendations on the education of the public on latex
29 allergies and reduction of allergy-causing protein, known as
30 antigens; and be it further
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1 RESOLVED, That the General Assembly urge the Governor to
2 appoint members of this committee that include the Secretary of
3 Health, an allergist, a representative from occupational health,
4 an epidemiologist, an anesthesiologist, an internist, a surgical
5 specialist, a hospital administrator, a pediatrician, a nurse, a
6 dentist, an osteopathic physician, a latex-allergy health care
7 provider and a representative from the Pennsylvania Emergency
8 Health Services Council; and be it further
9 RESOLVED, That the recommendations from this committee be
10 submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly for the
11 purpose of adopting a Statewide policy and program to help
12 educate health care workers and the general public on latex
13 allergies; and be it further
14 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
15 Governor Thomas J. Ridge.
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