|
*The bold items in the first column of each section may
contain natural rubber latex. The items in the second column are latex-free
alternatives, unless otherwise noted.
|
| Decorative
Supplies |
| Balloons |
 |
|
|
School/Office Supplies
|
| Adhesives |
|
- 3M (800-494-3552)
- Scotch Magic Tape, Post-Its, 3650 Storage Tape, Transparent Duct Tape
(but regular duct tape is NOT latex free), Command Poster Strips, Command
Interlocking Fasteners, Scotch Adhesive Putty
|
| Calculator Buttons |
|
- Texas Instruments calculators are latex free.
|
| Erasers |
|
- Sanford
(800-323-0749) All eraser products are latex-free EXCEPT Arrowhead
Cap Erasers, Design Kneaded Rubber Eraser, Union Eraser, Pink Pearl
Eraser, Pink Pet, Paper Mate Eraser Mate, Paper Mate Eraser Max
- RoseArt (800-272-9667)
- All erasers are latex free
- Faber-Castell
(800-642-2288) White vinyl erasers
- Baumgarten's
(800-247-5547) Neon erasers
- Pental - Click Erasers
- Soap erasers
|
| Glue/Paste |
|
- Elmer's
(888-435-6377) All glue EXCEPT rubber cement, Sno-Drift paste
- Crayola
(800-272-9652) All glue
- Avery (800-462-8379)
All glue sticks
- 3M (800-494-3552)
Scotch glue sticks
Note: Envelope and stamp glue may contain natural rubber latex. Use a moist
rag to wet glue rather than licking. |
| Modeling Clay |
|
- Polyform Products
Co. (847-427-0020) Granitex, Sculpey, Sculpey III, Super Elasticlay,
Super Sculpey
- Crayola (800-272-9652)
- Crayola Dough, Crayola Modeling Clay, Crayola Model Magic, Silly Putty
- Hasbro
(800-327-8264) - Play-Doh
- RoseArt (800-272-9667)
Modeling Clay
|
| Mouse Pads |
|
- 3M (888-364-3577)
Precise Mousing Surface with or without Gel Wrist Rest
- Quill
(800-982-3400)
- Vinyl sheeting can be cut into pad-sized squares
Note: It is necessary to eliminate all natural rubber latex
mouse pads from the home, as proteins from the pads can be "picked up" and
transported throughout the home |
| Paint |
|
- Crayola
(800-272-9652) - All Crayola Paints including Artista II, Watercolors,
Washable Paint, Finger Paint, Powder Paint, and Liquid Tempera Paint
- RoseArt (800-272-9667)
All paints
|
| Pen/Pencil Grips |
|
|
| Pens |
|
- Sanford (800-323-0749)
All Pens
- RoseArt (800-272-9667)
All Pens
- PaperMate
(630-481-2200) ZeZe Ball Point Pens, Silhouette Ball Point Pens, Comfort
Grip Pens, Dynagrip Pens, Flexgrip Pens
|
| Rubber Bands |
|
|
| « Top |
|
Infants/Children |
| Diapers/Rubber Pants |
|
|
| Feeding Nipples |
|
- Gerber (800-4-GERBER)
- Silicone (read label, some are latex)
- Evenflo (800-233-5921)
- Silicone (read label, some are latex)
- MAM - Silicone
(read label, some are latex)
|
| Pacifiers |
|
- Use plastic, silicone, or vinyl
- Gerber (800-4-GERBER)
Silicone (read label, some are latex)
- Evenflo (800-233-5921)
- Silicone (read label, some are latex)
- Playtex (800-222-0453)
- Binky
|
| Tooth Massager |
|
- Most are synthetic - please check with the manufacturer
- Oral B
(800-566-7252)
- Crest
- Reach soft bristle
- Butler
(888-777-3101) - GUM toothbrushes
|
Toys
Especially: Rubber Ducky, Teething Toys, Stretch Armstrong, Old Barbies,
Technics |
|
|
| « Top |
|
Household Products |
| Adhesives |
|
- 3M (800-494-3552)
- Scotch Magic Tape, Post-Its, 3650 Storage Tape, Transparent Duct Tape
(but regular duct tape is NOT latex free), Command Poster Strips, Command
Interlocking Fasteners, Scotch Adhesive Putty
|
| Auto Mats/Steering Wheel |
|
- Use vinyl, clear, fabric, or leather floor mats
- Cover steering wheel with latex-free cover
|
| Bath Mats/Rugs |
|
- Safety.com
- Vinyl bath mat
- Cotton rugs without rubber backing
- Foam
Products (800-526-3626) - Synthetic non-skid pads
|
Buttons on
Phone/Remotes/Calculators |
|
- Most are silicone rubber. Check with manufacturer
- Texas Instruments calculators are latex free
|
| Drain Stoppers |
|
|
| Earphones |
|
- Plantronics
(800-544-4660, Ext.5538) - H series (H31, H41, H51, H61, H81) and Polaris
models (P31, P41, P51, P61, P81) are latex free
- Avid Products
(888-575-2843)
|
| Foam Rubber |
|
|
Food Storage/
Zippered Bags |
|
- Ziploc (800-494-4855
- Kerr (800-240-3340) - canning jar lid seal is latex free
- Yoplait yogurt - Glue sealing lid onto container is latex free
- Use wax paper, HandiWrap, or Saran wrap
|
| Garden Hoses |
|
|
| Gaskets |
|
|
| Gloves (Kitchen/Household) |
|
- Use vinyl, neoprene, nitrile, polymer gloves
- Allerderm
(800-365-6868) Nitrile, vinyl
- Kimberly
Clark (800-544-1847) - Safeskin
- Maxxim (800-346-8849)
- Sensicare, Tru-Touch, Aloetouch, Accutouch, MediGuard
- Regent
(800-843-8497) Neotech, Skinsense
|
| Glue (Envelopes/Stamps) |
|
- Moisten with a wet cloth instead of licking
|
| Phone Receiver/Shoulder Rest |
|
- Avoid direct contact with skin
- See above entry for latex-free earphones
|
| Plants (Fiscus/Poinsettia) |
|
|
| Silk Flowers (Latex Stem) |
|
|
| Spatulas |
|
- Use wooden, plastic, or synthetic
- Pampered Chef
|
| Tools with Rubber Handles |
|
- Use vinyl or leather handles
- Cover with latex-free tape
|
| « Top |
|
Clothing |
| Undergarments/Elastic |
|
- Hygeia -
Latex-free underwear
- Decent Exposures
(800-524-4949) - Latex-free elastic for bras, underwear, swim suits
- Blue Canoe
(888-923-1373) - Latex-free clothing
- Vermont
Country Store (802-362-8460) - Latex-free socks
- Dr.
Leonard's Healthcare Catalog (800-785-0880) - Non-binding, latex-free
cotton socks
- TechSpun
(800-392-8500) - Latex-free socks
- Kathy Ireland cotton/lycra/nylon (Kmart)
- Cotton socks without elastic
- Cottonique (1-888-90-COTTON) - Latex-free bras, underwear, t-shirts & boxers. (for both men and women)
|
| Pantyhose |
|
- Lycra-Spandex
- L'eggs (800-925-3447)
- Tuck clothing under elastic waistband
|
| Raincoats |
|
|
| Shoes/Rubber Boots |
|
- P.W.
Minor (585-343-1500) - Rubber-free sport shoe
- Gempler's PVC waterproof boots (800-382-8473)
- Minnetonka
(718-365-7033) - Moccasins
- Superfeet
(800-634-6618)
- Crocs (877-238-4404) Latex-free clogs, boots, and flip-flops
|
| Stretch Fabrics (Some) |
|
- DuPont
(800-441-7515) - Lycra/Spandex
|
| Swimsuits |
|
|
| T-Shirts with Appliqués |
|
- Avoid contact of appliqué with skin
|
| « Top |
|
Personal Products |
| Contraception |
|
|
| Cosmetics/Applicators |
|
- All
Natural Cosmetics (888-586-9719)
- Clinique
(800-419-4041)
- Luminescence
- Revlon (800-473-8566)
- All products are latex free, including applicator foam wands and puffs,
and pads on eyelash curlers
- Qosmedix (631-242-3270)
- Latex-free applicator sponges
- Use cotton balls or brushes
Note: Cosmetics may contain papain, a papya derivative that can cross react
with latex. |
| Incontinence Supplies |
|
|
| Sanitary Pads |
|
|
| Skin Care |
|
- VMV Hypoallergenics
All products and applicators are latex-free. Each raw material, ingredient, product and applicator is patch-tested for their hypoallergenicity.
|
| Toothbrush Handles |
|
- Most are synthetic - please check with the manufacturer
- Oral B
(800-566-7252)
- Crest
- Reach soft bristle
- Butler
(888-777-3101) - GUM toothbrushes
|
| « Top |
|
Home Medical Supplies |
| Bandages |
|
- Sterile dressing with paper, silk, or cloth tape (See below for more
medical tape options)
- Johnson & Johnson
(866-565-2873) - Advanced Healing and Activ Flex Band-Aids are latex
free
- Kendall (800-962-9888)
Curity bandages are latex free
- 3M (800-328-6276)
NexCare Active Foam bandages are latex free
- Latex in packaging only: Readi-Bandages, Active Strip (3M), CURAD
Neon, Johnson & Johnson Band-Aid Brand
|
| Braces/Splints |
|
- Use cloth or felt to cover foam lining
|
| Crutches |
|
- Cover pads/grips with cloth or tape
- Crutchtips.com
(800-227-8498) - latex-free crutch pads and grips
|
| Medical Tape |
|
- Cloth, paper, or silk tape
- Johnson
& Johnson (866-565-2873) Hurt Free
- 3M
Transpore, Durapore, Micropore
|
| Wheelchair Seat/Tire/Brake |
|
- Cover seat with fabric or neoprene cushion
- Wear leather gloves to turn wheels
- ROHO (800-851-3449)
- cushions
|
| Water Bottles (Hot/Cold) |
|
- Wrap cloth around water bottle, or use cloth-covered heating pad
|
| « Top |
|
Restaurants and Grocery Stores |
| Latex Gloves |
|
- Synthetic, vinyl (inquire before eating)
- Arby's and Subway have a "no latex" policy, but it's recommended to
check with individual restaurants, as some may not follow the franchise
protocol
- Restaurant
Chains and Glove Use (PDF)
|
| « Top |
|
Sports Equipment |
| Bike/Ski Helmets |
|
|
| Bungee Cords |
|
- Avoid direct contact with skin
|
Handles
Ping Pong Paddles, Golf Clubs, Baseball Bats, Rackets, Ski Poles, Bikes
|
|
- Use vinyl or leather handles, or cover with tape or cloth
|
| Mouthguards |
|
|
| Rubber Balls |
|
- ALL Koosh products contain natural rubber latex. Do not use Koosh
products of any kind
- Do not use Balzac Balloon Balls or Omnikin, as these contain
natural rubber latex balloon bladders
- Some allergic individuals can use tennis balls that are new and completely
covered. Bladders of tennis balls are natural rubber latex
|
Other Balls
Basketballs, Footballs, Soccer Balls, Baseballs |
|
|
| Protective Eyewear |
|
- Liberty Optical
(800-444-5010) - Rec Specs are latex free
- Scott (800-292-5874)
- Ski goggles: Foam around eyes is latex free, but head strap DOES CONTAIN
natural rubber latex
|
| Swim Cap/Goggles |
|
- Use silicone swim caps
- Use silicone or vinyl goggles
- Speedo (888-477-3336)
- Hydrospex goggles are latex free. Latex-free replacement strap can
be bought separately for other Speedo goggles
Note: Some latex-allergic individuals may react to chlorine and/or latex
proteins released from swimsuits and pool items due to chlorine |
| Water Toys |
|
|
| Wet Suits, Scuba/Snorkel Masks |
|
|
| « Top |
| †Guidelines For Schools |
Statement from Crayola: "None of our currently manufactured
products contain latex, however, latex gloves may be worn to handle raw
materials and finished goods during the manufacturing process of our products.
Prior to 1998, a few products contained pieces or parts made of latex. They
were rubber stamps included in the Crayola Color & Stamp Dinosaur, Color
& Stamp Monsters, Message Mania and Playtime Office kits. Also, latex was
contained in the rubber erasers in the Crayola Drawing Portfolio, the 1993
Back-to-School Kit and the Art Organizer. All of these products are now
discontinued.
As a leader in children's art material products, safety is of utmost importance
to Binney & Smith. All Binney & Smith products have been certified nontoxic
by an independent toxicologist and have earned the Art and Creative Materials
Institute's (ACMI) APPROVED PRODUCT (AP) seal. This provides consumers assurance
that products bearing this seal meet or exceed specific quality standards
and contain no known toxic or harmful substances in sufficient quantities
to be injurious to the human body, even if ingested or inhaled." |
Guidelines
Latex allergies have become a serious problem for a growing number of people.
Exposure to latex (any natural rubber containing product) can cause symptoms
ranging from hives, sneezing, asthma, or even life threatening anaphylactic
shock. Creating awareness through education is essential in preventing latex
exposure for sensitized individuals. The only treatment to date is avoidance.
- There should be no natural rubber latex contact (direct or indirect)
for a latex-allergic individual. Indirect contact with latex occurs
if one person touches latex and has contact with an allergic person,
or if latex residue is on a surface that is touched by an allergic individual.
Example: Teacher has latex adhesive on hands from tape and touches allergic
student.
- Latex can be airborne and cause reactions in individuals who inhale
particles. Powdered latex gloves and latex balloons, which are particularly
hazardous, should be eliminated entirely from the school and replaced
with alternative gloves and Mylar balloons.
- Each latex-allergic individual differs in symptoms. Allergic reactions
can range in intensity from hives and hayfever to asthma and anaphylactic
shock. It's imperative to limit all latex exposure because symptoms
may increase in severity with continued exposure.
- Maintenance and remodeling projects (i.e., carpet installation, driveway
sealing, gym floor finishing and painting) should be done during vacations
when allergic children are not present. Inform parents when projects
are going to occur.
- Keep the latex allergy treatment protocol in the health room and review
it with staff annually.
- A faculty meeting prior to the school year should inform the staff
about latex allergy symptoms and severity. If possible, include parents,
physician, and EMT staff at this informational meeting.
- Verify that rubber spatulas, and/or natural rubber latex gloves or
equipment will not be used in the cafeteria for food preparation and/or
storage.
- Custodial staff should also be aware of latex-allergic students, and
be informed not to use latex products, including natural rubber latex
gloves, in classrooms.
- All medical supplies (injectable epinephrine, inhalers, medications,
latex-free Band-Aids, non-latex gloves, etc.) should be kept handy and
away from contact with any latex.
- Many people with the latex allergy also have cross-reacting food allergies.
Check with students' parents regarding any foods that may need to be
avoided, and communicate this to cafeteria staff.
- Maintain communication with students' parents regarding the development
of the school's natural rubber latex safe program and involve parents
in developing individualized safety plans for each allergic student.
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