Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 103 CHAPTER 125 Relative to Latex Allergy Awareness Week. [ Filed with Secretary of State July 23, 2019. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTACR 103, Aguiar-Curry. Latex Allergy Awareness Week.This measure would proclaim October 6, 2019, through October 12, 2019, as Latex Allergy Awareness Week in California.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO Bill TextWHEREAS, 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; andWHEREAS, The incidence of latex allergies has increased due to widespread exposure to products containing latex; andWHEREAS, 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 the elderly, and up to 68 percent of children with spina bifida; andWHEREAS, 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; andWHEREAS, Patients with a latex allergy may also experience allergic symptoms when eating certain fruits, vegetables, and nuts, including, among other things, bananas, avocados, kiwis, tomatoes, carrots, and chestnuts; andWHEREAS, There is no cure for a latex allergy, and every exposure increases the sensitivity and severity of the patients condition, with distress and rebound reactions for days after exposure; andWHEREAS, Latex allergies can only be prevented by avoiding all latex-related products, which can be found at homes, childcare centers, stores, schools, workplaces, and health care environments, among other places; andWHEREAS, 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; andWHEREAS, Latex allergies result in a growing number of workers compensation claims arising from workplace exposure to products containing natural rubber latex; andWHEREAS, The Allergy and Asthma Network creates awareness of latex allergies through education and provides support to individuals who have been diagnosed with a latex allergy; now, therefore, be itResolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims the week of October 6, 2019, through October 12, 2019, as Latex Allergy Awareness Week in California; and be it furtherResolved, That the Legislature encourages all Californians to be informed about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of latex allergies; and be it furtherResolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution. Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 103 CHAPTER 125 Relative to Latex Allergy Awareness Week. [ Filed with Secretary of State July 23, 2019. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTACR 103, Aguiar-Curry. Latex Allergy Awareness Week.This measure would proclaim October 6, 2019, through October 12, 2019, as Latex Allergy Awareness Week in California.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 103 CHAPTER 125 Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 103 CHAPTER 125 Relative to Latex Allergy Awareness Week. [ Filed with Secretary of State July 23, 2019. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST ACR 103, Aguiar-Curry. Latex Allergy Awareness Week. This measure would proclaim October 6, 2019, through October 12, 2019, as Latex Allergy Awareness Week in California. This measure would proclaim October 6, 2019, through October 12, 2019, as Latex Allergy Awareness Week in California. ## Digest Key ## Bill Text WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, The incidence of latex allergies has increased due to widespread exposure to products containing latex; and WHEREAS, 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 the elderly, and up to 68 percent of children with spina bifida; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, Patients with a latex allergy may also experience allergic symptoms when eating certain fruits, vegetables, and nuts, including, among other things, bananas, avocados, kiwis, tomatoes, carrots, and chestnuts; and WHEREAS, There is no cure for a latex allergy, and every exposure increases the sensitivity and severity of the patients condition, with distress and rebound reactions for days after exposure; and WHEREAS, Latex allergies can only be prevented by avoiding all latex-related products, which can be found at homes, childcare centers, stores, schools, workplaces, and health care environments, among other places; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, Latex allergies result in a growing number of workers compensation claims arising from workplace exposure to products containing natural rubber latex; and WHEREAS, The Allergy and Asthma Network creates awareness of latex allergies through education and provides support to individuals who have been diagnosed with a latex allergy; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims the week of October 6, 2019, through October 12, 2019, as Latex Allergy Awareness Week in California; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature encourages all Californians to be informed about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of latex allergies; and be it further Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.