Philadelphia Products Liability Lawyers: The FDA Pulls Powdered Gloves From The Market

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently banned powdered gloves from health care settings, such as hospital operating rooms and doctor’s offices. The ban, effective by mid January of this year, pertains to all powdered gloves that are already in use as well as all that are being distributed on commercial levels. This will create a big change in healthcare settings, since many medical professionals use powdered gloves.

The FDA made their decision just less than one month ago. There were many reasons for the ban and the risks that powdered gloves pose were assessed for both the user as well as for the person that the user would come into contact with. Some of the problems with powdered gloves are patient sensitization to latex, inflammatory responses, dyspnea, conjunctivitis, asthma and severe airway inflammation. These risks range from mild to serious. Severe airway inflammation as well as other allergic reactions can, in truly severe situations, cause death.

 The risks of powdered gloves were decided to greatly outweigh their potential benefits, especially since there are other types of gloves on the market that doctors and healthcare professionals are able to use. The FDA made mention that plenty of non-powdered gloves exist and protect their users just as well as their powdered counterparts. Furthermore, the non-powdered gloves do not come with all the accompanying risks that powdered gloves do, and it was for that reason in particular that the FDA made its decision.

There is another type of medical glove, called natural rubber latex glove, which the FDA has received multiple complaints about as well. The FDA ruled that the natural rubber latex gloves simply necessitate having a safety warning that instructs people that the glove carries the risk of allergic reactions. The FDA decided, however, that natural rubber latex gloves do not pose a large enough risk to ban them completely, unlike the powdered gloves that they have deemed as unsafe.

Although powdered gloves will be banned, this does not mean that all gloves must be completely powder-free. Because it is the powder that creates the risk of asthma, airway inflammation, sensitization to latex and other problems, the FDA is requiring that if a glove is powdered, it must be with less than 2mg of the chemical that is used during the manufacturing process.

This could be confusing to consumers and patients in a medical setting, because it will be difficult, if not impossible, to tell whether or not a powdered glove is meeting the FDA’s requirements of 2mgs or less of chemical powders. So, one thing that patients may want to keep in mind in the upcoming months is whether or not they feel they are having any type of medical reaction after having an operation or even a routine doctor’s office visit. As always, with specific medical issues or problems, you will want to consult directly with your doctor or general practitioner. Of course, if you believe that your doctor or healthcare specialist is using powdered gloves that have been banned by the FDA, you should ask them to remove them, get more information and contact our firm with any additional questions or concerns.

Philadelphia Products Liability Lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP Represent Victims of Faulty or Malfunctioning Products

The Philadelphia Products Liability lawyers at Galfand Berger have successfully represented clients who have been injured by faulty or malfunctioning products. If you or any of your loved ones have been injured due to a products issue, an attorney at Galfand Berger, LLP can help. With offices located in Philadelphia, Reading and Bethlehem, we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. To schedule a consultation, call us at 800-222-8792 or complete our online contact form.