Why Hospitals Ban Latex: The Johns Hopkins Latex-Safe Policy and What It Means for Patients

In January 2008, Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore announced it had become the first major medical institution to go “latex safe”: it stopped using natural rubber latex gloves and almost all medical products made with latex. The goal was to protect patients and staff with latex allergy, which can cause reactions from hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

The move was symbolic too. Johns Hopkins credits its first surgeon-in-chief, William Halsted, with introducing rubber surgical gloves in the 1890s. This guide explains why hospitals moved away from latex, the FDA’s later ban on powdered gloves, and what to do if you have a latex allergy. For more, see our skin allergy guides.

Jump to: Quick answer · The Johns Hopkins ban · Why hospitals ban latex · The FDA powdered glove ban · Latex allergy basics · If you’re allergic · FAQ

Quick answer

• Johns Hopkins (2008): ended all use of natural rubber latex gloves and almost all latex medical products, calling itself “latex safe” rather than “latex free.”
• Replacements: gloves made of synthetic materials such as neoprene, polyisoprene or vinyl.
• FDA ban (2017): powdered surgeon’s and exam gloves were banned in the U.S. from January 18, 2017, because of risks including airway inflammation and allergic reactions.
• Who’s at risk of latex allergy: health care workers, people who’ve had many surgeries (such as children with spina bifida) and rubber industry workers.
• If you’re allergic: tell every health care provider, wear medical alert ID if you’ve had a severe reaction, and carry epinephrine if prescribed.

The Johns Hopkins latex ban

Johns Hopkins announced its latex-safe policy in January 2008. According to the hospital’s announcement, it:

• Ended all use of natural rubber latex gloves and almost all medical latex products.
• Used the term “latex safe” instead of “latex free,” because removing every source of natural rubber was still a challenge.
• Switched to replacement gloves made of synthetic materials: neoprene, polyisoprene or vinyl.

Robert H. Brown, an anesthesiologist who chaired the hospital’s latex task force, noted that latex hospital gloves were invented at Johns Hopkins, so it made sense for the hospital to lead the move to alternatives. The announcement cited estimates that roughly 6% of the general population and up to 15% of health care workers are allergic to latex.

Why hospitals ban latex

Repeated exposure to natural rubber latex can sensitize people over time. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) lists health care workers and others who frequently wear latex gloves among those at higher risk, along with people who’ve had many surgeries and rubber industry workers.

Powdered latex gloves were a particular problem. ACAAI explains that latex proteins can stick to glove powder and become airborne, and breathing them in can trigger severe asthma in sensitized people. Removing latex from a hospital protects both staff who handle gloves all day and patients who may not know they’re allergic until they react during a procedure.

The FDA’s ban on powdered gloves

The FDA went further for the whole country. Its final rule, published December 19, 2016, banned powdered surgeon’s gloves, powdered patient examination gloves and absorbable powder for lubricating surgeon’s gloves, effective January 18, 2017. The Federal Register notice cited risks including severe airway inflammation, hypersensitivity reactions and sensitization to latex proteins carried by the powder.

The rule banned powdered gloves, not latex itself, so non-powdered latex gloves can still be sold. Many hospitals, like Johns Hopkins, have chosen to go further on their own.

Latex allergy basics

ACAAI describes several kinds of reactions to latex products:

Some people with latex allergy also react to certain foods. ACAAI lists foods including apple, avocado, banana, carrot, celery, chestnut, kiwi and melons; banana, avocado, chestnut and kiwi are the ones most often involved. If you react to these foods, tell your allergist. Our pollen and food cross-reactivity guide explains how cross-reactions work.

Where latex is found

Besides gloves, ACAAI lists dental dams and airway and intravenous tubing among medical supplies, and condoms, balloons and rubber toys among everyday products that can contain natural rubber latex. Synthetic rubber is not the problem.

If you have a latex allergy

1. Tell every provider, including dentists, surgeons, labs and pharmacies, and make sure it’s in your medical record.
2. Wear medical alert ID if you’ve had a severe reaction, as ACAAI advises.
3. Carry epinephrine if your doctor prescribes it.
4. Ask before procedures whether the facility is latex safe and how they prepare for patients with latex allergy.
5. Check everyday products such as balloons, condoms and some household gloves.

For health care workers, ACAAI advises that those with latex sensitivity use non-latex gloves, and that their co-workers do too. If your hands react to gloves or frequent washing, see our guides to overscrubbing and the skin barrier and dry skin and allergies.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Read our medical disclaimer.

Frequently asked questions

Why did Johns Hopkins ban latex?

To protect patients and staff from latex allergy. In January 2008 the hospital ended all use of natural rubber latex gloves and almost all latex medical products, switching to synthetic gloves made of neoprene, polyisoprene or vinyl.

Are latex gloves banned in the U.S.?

Powdered medical gloves are. The FDA banned powdered surgeon’s and exam gloves starting January 18, 2017. Non-powdered latex gloves are still allowed, though many hospitals choose alternatives.

Why are powdered latex gloves dangerous?

Latex proteins can stick to the powder and float in the air, so people can breathe them in. This can trigger severe asthma in people with latex allergy, and the powder also caused airway inflammation and other problems, according to the FDA.

Who is most likely to have a latex allergy?

Health care workers and others who wear latex gloves often, people who’ve had many surgeries (such as children with spina bifida), rubber industry workers, and people with other allergies such as hay fever or certain food allergies.

What foods should people with latex allergy watch out for?

Banana, avocado, chestnut and kiwi are the foods most often linked to latex allergy, according to ACAAI. Others include apple, carrot, celery and melons.

Sources

• Johns Hopkins Medicine. Rubber gloves born and now banished (news release via Newswise). January 14, 2008.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Banned devices; powdered surgeon’s gloves, powdered patient examination gloves, and absorbable powder for lubricating a surgeon’s glove. Federal Register, December 19, 2016.
• American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Latex allergy.

Last reviewed: October 21, 2026.