Dust entry
Airborne powder and latex-protein particles released from powdered natural-rubber latex gloves during use or removal.
The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.
NIOSH states that protein/powder particles from powdered latex gloves can become airborne and inhaled, and describes respiratory symptoms including asthma, coughing, wheezing, and nasal or eye symptoms.
When workers change gloves, the protein/powder particles become airborne and can be inhaled.
A NIOSH health-hazard evaluation states that natural-rubber-latex proteins and glove powder containing those proteins can become airborne, and associates the exposure with irritant or allergic dermatitis, immediate hypersensitivity, respiratory irritation, allergies, asthma, and nasal congestion.
Natural rubber latex proteins alone or glove powder containing such proteins can become airborne and represent a health hazard. Glove powder in environmental dusts also can pose a hazard. The three main types of reactions to latex-containing objects include irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and immediate hypersensitivity.