The dangers posed by this seemingly harmless and familiar substance are
two-fold

•    Latex allergy results from sensitization to proteins in natural rubber
latex.

•    First, scientific studies have shown that cornstarch powder on surgical
and examination gloves -- medicine's deadly dust -- can cause a wide
variety of serious complications, including sterility, infertility,
blindness, tumor-like cysts, intestinal blockage, and even death.

•    Second, latex allergy has reached epidemic proportions in the last
decade, particularly among healthcare workers.

Cornstarch powder, medicine's deadly dust, has been incriminated as the
primary source of life-threatening allergic reactions in these
individuals, who are continually exposed to latex in the workplace.

It's Time to Break the Conspiracy of Silence!

"A letter to save the lives of millions of Americans"

By sending this letter to Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human
Services, together we can convince her to set a specified date to
eliminate the manufacture and use of powdered gloves! (Please print and
sign this letter and send to the Honorable Tommy Thompson at the address
provided. Adding a brief personal note at the bottom would be helpful.
E-mail us to let us know when you have done this!)

________

What is latex allergy? Who is at risk?
Latex allergy is a growing medical problem which has reached epidemic
proportions and affects both patients and healthcare providers. Latex
allergy results from sensitization to proteins (allergens) in natural
latex (the raw materials from which gloves and other rubber products are
made) through contact. The body produces antibodies to latex which can
cause immediate and potentially life-threatening reactions. Symptoms
include watery eyes, rashes, itching, hives, swelling, breathing
problems,
sudden drop in blood pressure, and in some cases, anaphylactic shock and
death.

 

GROUPS AT RISK INCLUDE:
healthcare workers /children born with spina bifida / children with
multiple operative procedures / fruit allergy patients / & people with a
history of other allergies

What are the damaging effects of the cornstarch powder on the tissues of
the body?
A wide variety of complications caused by cornstarch have been
demonstrated in literally every part of the body.

SOME EXAMPLES:
Cornstarch has been reported to cause inflammation (endophthalmalitis) of
the eye after cataract surgery which can result in blindness. In
abdominal
surgery, the dust causes adhesions (thin, string-like bands of tissue) to
form which can lead to intense pain and bowel obstruction requiring
additional surgeries. The use of powdered gloves in gynecological exams
can lead to fibrosis of the reproductive tract, a cause of infertility in
women. Cornstarch deposited in the mouth after tooth extraction can lead
to the growth of tumor-like nodules beneath the gums.

________

FDA Cites Surge in Powder-Free Glove Sales Overseas; May 1998 issue of
Health Facilities Management: "Is powder losing its grip?
An FDA report says the glove product mix in Great Britain is about 60-40
in favor of powder-free gloves, unlike here in the United States, where
as
much as 75 to 80 percent are powdered. Although it's under increasing
pressure to ban powder outright, the FDA is likely only to restrict the
use of any powder that can carry latex aeroallergens."

"Hospitals decide to ban powdered latex surgical gloves" April 27, 1998,
American Medical News:
Three hospitals under Providence Health System in Oregon are ridding
powdered latex surgical gloves from operating rooms. Despite increased
cost, Roger E. Alberty, MD, director of surgery at Providence St. Vincent
feels better safety justifies the change.

"Deadly dust silently invading hospitals" April 11, 1998, The News-Item
Shamokin, PA
"It is every patient's responsibility to demand that doctors use
powder-free gloves with low levels of latex allergen proteins in order to
protect themselves from the dangers of this deadly and serious powder"
-Brooke Carl

Time, March 30, 1998 Health Report:
"Fully 12% of health workers are allergic to protective latex gloves. You
don't want your doctor to be allergic: syptoms can include going into
shock."

Public Citizen Petitions FDA to Ban Cornstarch Powdered Latex Gloves
January 7, 1998: Public Citizen Health Research Group submitted a
petition
to the FDA calling for an immediate ban on the use of cornstarch powder
on
latex surgical and examination gloves, citing in their press release the
dangers of such powder: "These powdered latex gloves are a serious,
unnecessary menace in hospitals and other health care facilities all over
the country. Safer alternatives such as powder-free gloves are easily and
currently available, but too many hospitals are willing to cut corners
and
risk the health of their patients and employees." Dr. Sidney Wolfe MD,
Director of Public Citizen

American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Latex Allergy Protocol
"Caution should be taken to keep the powder from the gloves away from the
patient because the powder will acts as a carrier for the latex
protein..."

http://www.deadlydust.com

Hundreds of medical publications have proven the dangers of cornstarch to
human tissue--yet the majority of medical personnel and hospitals across
the country continue to use gloves dusted with cornstarch powder,
medicine's deadly dust.

Medicine's Deadly Dust: A Surgeon's Wake-Up Call to Society
by Richard F. Edlich, MD, PhD with Julia A. Woods and Mary Jude Cox