THE FDA SAYS ONLY 1% OF LATEX DEATHS ARE REPORTED

Delayed contact dermatitis from chemicals in rubber has been recognized
since the 1930s.4 But except for rare early reports, clinicians did not
appreciate systemic allergic reactions to latex proteins until 1979, when
case reports began to appear in Europe. 5

Latex allergy erupted in the United States shortly after the Centers for
Disease Control introduced universal precautions in 1987. By late 1992,
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received 1133 reports of serious
allergic reactions and anaphylaxis occurring to patients and health care
staff associated with 30 classes of latex medical devices. There were 15
patient deaths associated with latex barium enema catheters.5,6

The FDA estimated that the reports represented only 1% of actual
occurrences.6

Today, researchers hypothesize that the latex allergy outbreak is the
result of multiple factors including deficiencies in manufacturing
processes, increased latex exposure, hand care practices, immunological
cross reactivity, and changes in latex agricultural practices.1,7,8, 45

Latex allergy affects between 8%-12% of workers in all health disciplines.
Latex allergy also affects up to 51% of children with spina bifida, and
approximately 1% of the general population.

http://www.nursingworld.org/readroom/position/workplac/wklatex.htm

____________

New US government website attacked for comments on sexuality and
effectiveness of condoms

The wording of information about condoms on the site is also potentially
misleading (they mean factual). US abstinence education programmes usually
only mention condoms when referring to their potential for failure.

The 4parents.com site suggests that condoms offer only “moderate”
protection against HIV and gonorrhoea, “less” protection against
Chlamidya, herpes and human papilloma virus, and that the ability of
condoms to protect against syphilis “has not been well studied.” Although
these claims are backed by reference to studies looking at the
effectiveness of condoms, they do not acknowledge that the studies were,
almost exclusively, conducted in populations with a high prevalence, or
risk of sexually transmitted infections.

____

The rest of the article (attacking the new semi honest official statements
on condoms) is a pathetic attempt to defend condoms citing the one and
only study (if you can call it that) conducted over twelve years ago that
claimed that condoms reduced 'AIDS' in the 132 couples studied. As usual
the 'conclusions' section of that report which said 'in real world use
condoms failed up to 32% of the time' was ignored.

This study has been contradicted by ALL the 400 subsequent studies almost
without exception.

________

Do Condoms Protect Against Small Viruses?

The use of condoms is widely recommended to prevent sexually transmitted
diseases, including those caused by such viruses as herpes simplex,
hepatitis B, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The efficacy of
condoms in these circumstances, however, is unknown.

The water-leak test used to ensure the integrity of condoms can detect
holes as small as 3 to 4 m in diameter, but sexually transmitted viruses
are much smaller, with diameters of 0.04 to 0.15 m. A previous study
demonstrated that about one third of condoms tested allowed penetration of
HIV-sized polystyrene spheres.

________

Condom Use Linked to Risk of Preeclampsia

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/433419?srcmp=wh-051002

LOS ANGELES (Reuters Health) May 09 - Women who are not exposed to a
partner's sperm prior to pregnancy because the couple used condoms may be
at increased risk for developing preeclampsia, a new study presented here
concludes.

The findings suggest that when the uterus is repeatedly exposed to sperm,
a woman's immune system may become accustomed to this "foreign" genetic
material, said Dr. Jon I. Einarsson, an obstetrician/gynecologist at
Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

However, when a woman's body has only recently been introduced to the
sperm because she stopped using barrier contraception and was trying to
conceive, she may have an immune reaction to the paternal genetic material
that causes arterial damage and contributes to preeclampsia, Dr. Einarsson
suggested. This reaction may be heightened because the placenta produces
paternal proteins similar to those on sperm, he told Reuters Health.

Preeclampsia affects about 7% of pregnant women, yet little is understood
about why the condition develops, according to the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The Baylor study findings were
presented Wednesday during the College's annual meeting.

Dr. Einarsson described his team's findings for 113 women who developed
preeclampsia during their pregnancies and another 226 women who did not.

He said those who used barrier methods and had only been having sex with
their partners for a short period of time were most at risk. "Women who
used barrier methods who had been having sex with their partners for less
than 4 months prior to getting pregnant had a 6.5-fold increased risk of
getting preeclampsia, compared with women who did not use barrier methods
and had been in a sexual relationship for more than 12 months," he said.
Most women in the study who reported using barrier contraception relied on
condoms, while some also used diaphragms. Women who relied on the
withdrawal method also were included in this group.
"Women who use barrier methods exclusively prior to pregnancy should
consider changing to an alternative method 4 to 6 months prior to getting
pregnant, especially if they have other risk factors for preeclampsia,
such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or if they are overweight," Dr.
Einarsson recommended.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Reuters Health Information 2002. © 2002 Reuters Ltd

_________

Are condoms a greater health risk than the std's they don't really protect
against?

It is politically correct to advocate condoms but every day the evidence
increases that they do little to protect and may pose a very serious
health risk. It is hard for the CDC and FDA to examine these risks as they
have been so vocal in promoting condoms but could their silence lead to
dire consequences. I for one having done exaustive research strongly feel
so.

"...... new concerns are arising regarding allergic or other toxic
reactions to various components of latex condoms such as vulcanization
accelerators, latex proteins, spermicides and finishing powders."

"* Studies are needed to evaluate the best lubricants to use in the
manufacture of condoms. Evidence suggests that the right quantity, type
and placement of lubricant is important for condom functionality,
acceptability and safety.

In addition, the added value and risk presented by spermicidal lubricants
and by dry finishing powders (e.g. talc or cornstarch) should be
critically examined."

"Since the late 1980s the reported incidence
of allergy to natural rubber latex has increased dramatically, as much as
12 -fold."

"Latex allergy is incurable, although the symptoms, such as itching,
soreness, painful blistering, runny noses, swollen eyes, asthma symptoms
and anaphylaxis can be ameliorated.

Everyone who has contact wi th natural rubber latex is potentially at risk
from sensitisation.

Both patients and health care workers can be at risk from allergic
reactions to natural rubber latex. Over the past decade, allergic
reactions to natural
rubber latex have become a major public health concern."

" Once a person has developed latex allergy, however mild, they are
“sensitised” to latex and are at risk from severe allergic reactions."

"Delayed cell-mediated reactions are the most common form of
hypersensitivity reaction to natural rubber latex. These reactions are to
individual chemical residues from the production process such as
accelerants used in the vulcanisation process which is required to
strengthen the product.

The residual chemicals may bloo on the surface of the products and can be
absorbed through the skin upon contact."

"Potent Carcinogen found in Most Condoms

Recent study has discovered the presence of a very potent carcinogen in
most condoms. Small amounts of this chemical are released whenever condoms
are used.

Nobody knows whether this is serious yet however it is not likely to be
healthy to expose the reproductive organs to cancer-causing substances on
a regular basis.

This is a potentially serious issue for much of the world's population
that cannot afford or access other forms of birth control. I hope further
studies will follow on this soon. Could this be related to the rise in
cancer in women, and men as well? "

"Talc...(on condoms)...may result in fallopian tube fibrosis with
resultant infertility. Question raised by Doctors Kasper and Chandler in
Journal of the American Medical Association. (JAMA) 3/15/95
-from Nutrition Health Review, Summer 1995 n73p8(1)"

"A possible tie between talcum powder and ovarian cancer, long suspected
because of talc's chemical similarity to asbestos, was strongly supported
last week when a study found a higher risk of the cancer among women who
used feminine deodorant sprays. The study, published in the American
Journal of Epidemiology, found that women who used talcum powder in the
genital area had an increased ovarian cancer risk of 60% and women who
used feminine deodorant sprays had a 90% increased risk."

-from The University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter, April 1993
v9n7p1

"Benzene. In addition to the effect on fertility, some researchers believe
overexposure to chemicals may also contribute to testicular cancers. In
fact, a 2000 study concluded that there was a link between sperm
abnormalities and testicular cancer.
Among the study participants, men in couples with fertility problems were
more likely to develop testicular cancer. In addition, low semen
concentration, poor sperm motility, and abnormal sperm morphology were all
associated with increased risk for testicular cancer."

"a recent Lancet study (2002;360:971-977) found frequent use may in fact
increase the risk of HIV transmission.
The head of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organizations, Don Baxter,
said up to 10 percent of condoms sold in Australia include nonoxynol-9 as
a lubricant. "Not a high percentage of condoms use nonoxynol-9, it's
usually a particular brand, but they are fairly widely available," he
said. Baxter advised all gay men to avoid using condoms with nonoxynol-9
and said AFAO would call for the product to be withdrawn from pharmacy
shelves. "

"The allergens that cause reactions in individuals with spina bifida are
particle bound proteins that are less able to be dissolved in water than
some of the other latex proteins"

*  Talc - This is found in baby powders, face powders, body powders as
well as some contraceptives such as condoms.  Talc is a known carcinogen
and is a major cause of ovarian cancer when used in the genital area.  It
can be harmful if inhaled as it can lodge in the lungs, causing
respiratory disorders."

Condoms contain compounds known to cause cancer and serious birth defects
in substantial quantities