BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SR 82|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SR 82
Author: Huff (R)
Introduced:6/30/16
Vote: Majority
SUBJECT: Latex Allergy Awareness Week
SOURCE: American Latex Allergy Association
DIGEST: This resolution proclaims the week of October 2, 12016,
through October 8, 2016, as Latex Allergy Awareness Week.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative
findings:
1)Latex allergy patients face a constant threat to their lives
from exposure to rubber latex allergens; reactions can be
elicited by touching a product containing natural rubber
latex, breathing airborne latex proteins, or digesting food
prepared using latex gloves.
2)Up to 6 percent of people in the United States are estimated
to have latex allergies, including up to 17 percent of health
care and food service workers, 11 percent of elderly, and up
to 68 percent of children with spina bifida. Exposure to
natural rubber latex results in up to 10 deaths per year in
the community of latex allergy patients and is the second most
common cause of anaphylaxis in the operating room.
3)There is no cure for a latex allergy, and every exposure
increases the sensitivity and severity of the patient's
SR 82
Page 2
condition, with distress and rebound reactions for days after
exposure. Latex allergies can only be prevented by avoiding
all latex-related products, which can be found at homes, child
care centers, stores, schools, workplaces, and health care
environments, among other places.
4)Natural rubber is found in over 40,000 products, including,
but not limited to, hair accessories, toys, balloons, school
and office supplies, sports equipment, and medical devices,
resulting in a daily struggle for latex allergy patients to
balance life and work with staying safe and healthy.
5)The American Latex Allergy Association creates awareness of
latex allergies through education and provides support to
individuals who have been diagnosed with a latex allergy.
This resolution proclaims the week of October 2, 12016, through
October 8, 2016, as Latex Allergy Awareness Week, and encourages
all Californians to be informed about the causes, symptoms,
treatment, and prevention of latex allergies.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal
Com.:NoLocal: No
SUPPORT: (Verified8/3/16)
American Latex Allergy Association (source)
California Society of Allergy Asthma and Immunology
OPPOSITION: (Verified8/3/16)
None received
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Page 3
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The American Latex Allergy Association
states in support:
There are at least 3 million Americans with an allergy
to latex. Latex allergy is common among food service
workers, healthcare workers, spina bifida patients and
individuals who have had repeated medical procedures
where medical devices containing natural rubber latex
are used. Latex Allergy reactions can be mild to
life-threatening including hives, swelling, redness,
shortness of breath, respiratory symptoms and
anaphylactic shock.
There is no cure for Latex Allergy only Avoidance, so
Awareness and Education and developing latex-allergy
safe policies are essential to protect and improve the
health of people diagnosed with a latex allergy.
Prepared by: Jonas Austin / SFA / (916) 651-1520
8/3/16 18:21:29
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