The reduction is prompted by an increase in latex allergies among both students and staff. The district is putting up new signs that warn people not to bring latex products into the building. It is also educating staff about allergies and potential reactions.

“There has been a huge increase in allergies over the last five years,” said Margo Bellamy, ASD's equal employment opportunity director. “There are one or more people in every school who are allergic.”

It's impossible to go entirely latex free, Bellamy said. Latex is used in carpet, upholstery, tape, bandages and clothing; but the district can reduce the amount of exposure by not using latex products like gloves, erasers or balloons in facilities.

Bellamy said 77 percent of schools were already latex reduced before this new policy began with the start of this school year.

Allergic reactions to latex can be caused by either inhaling latex particles or latex touching the skin. Some people are allergic to the actual natural rubber that latex comes from; others are allergic to something in the manufacturing process. Reactions can run the gamut — from dry, irritated or itchy skin to breathing problems and anaphylactic shock.

Vacuuming and cleaning will help reduce latex particles already in the air and the district is working to limit all types of exposure, Bellamy said.

Alpenglow Elementary School Principal Richard Toymil said his school has been quite vigilant about removing latex products from the school. There is a student there who is at risk of anaphylactic shock if exposed to latex, so they have been curbing the amount of latex in the school for a couple of years. They have replaced pencils, erasers, bandages, rubber bands and even gone through disaster kits to make sure there are no latex products in the kits. Duct tape and the rubber bands around gauze packages had to be removed.

“When we know up front who has allergic reactions, we can be much more preemptive,” Toymil said.

The staff screens people for latex products as they come into the building. The school had a juggler come in during the last school year who had rubber balls. He had to take them out of the building.

“Between my nurse and parents involved with these children, we double and triple check everything that comes in our building and that's how we stay as reduced as possible,” Toymil said.

Bellamy said that the district-wide change in latex reduction hasn't cost money. Since allergies started to spike about five years ago, they have already phased out items containing latex and replaced them with alternative products.

“Companies are more aware of these things (allergies) and you can easily go online and find companies that will have the supplies that you need,” Toymil said.

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, August 21, 2008.