THIRD READING

Bill No: SR 59

Author: Dodd (D)

Introduced: 8/30/17

Vote: Majority

SUBJECT: Latex Allergy Awareness Week

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution proclaims the week of October 1, 2017, through October 7, 2017, as Latex Allergy Awareness Week in California.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

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.
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.
Patients with a latex allergy may also experience allergic symptoms when eating certain fruits, vegetables, and nuts, including, among other things, banana, avocado, kiwi, tomato, carrot, and chestnut.
There is no cure for a latex allergy, and every exposure increases the sensitivity and severity of the patient’s 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.
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.

This resolution:

Proclaims the week of October 1, 2017, through October 7, 2017, as Latex Allergy Awareness Week in California.
Encourages all Californians to be informed about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of latex allergies.

Related/Prior Legislation

SR 82 (Huff, 2016) proclaimed the week of October 2, 2016, through October 8, 2016, as Latex Allergy Awareness Week in California. The resolution was adopted by the Senate.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/31/17)

California Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

Three individuals

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/31/17)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, “Latex allergy patients must contend with the daily struggle of balancing life and work with staying safe and healthy. Therefore it is of utmost importance to educate the public about latex allergies and the best ways to prevent them.”

The California Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology writes, “There is no cure for Latex Allergy only avoidance. That is why awareness, education and developing latex-allergy safe policies are essential to protect and improve the health of people diagnosed with a latex allergy.”

Prepared by: Karen Chow / SFA / (916) 651-1520

8/31/17 16:29:46

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SR 59

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