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Abstract:
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Natural rubber latex, an aqueous colloidal dispersion of polyisoprene is
widely used in production of gloves, catherers, rubber bands etc. The natural
rubber latex content present in products such as gloves causes allergic
problems. Of the different types of allergies reported, latex is known to produce
Type I and Type IV allergies. Type I is called immediate hypersensitivity and
type IV is called delayed hypersensitivity. It has been reported that some of the
proteins present in the latex are mainly responsible for the allergic reactions
type I. Significant reduction in the allergic response (type I) of natural rubber
latex can be achieved by the reduction in its protein content, however out of the
total proteins present in the latex or latex film only a fraction is extractable. The
major techniques employed to reduce protein content of latex include leaching,
autoclaving, chlorination, use of proteolytic enzymes and use of non ionic
surfactants. Sulphur vulcanization of dipped products is responsible for Type
IV allergy. N-nitrosamine, a carcinogenic substance is produced as a result of
sulphur vulcanization. Radiation vulcanization can be used as an alternative for
sulphur vulcanization.
The current research deals with techniques to reduce the allergy
associated with latex products. To reduce the type I allergy, low protein
latex is developed using polyethylene glycol, a non- ionic surfactant. The
present study employs radiation vulcanization to eliminate type IV allergy.
The effect of different cure systems and fillers on the properties of low
protein latex is also investigated as a part of the study. |