Adapted Physical Education (APE)

Latex…is it safe in my class?

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With today's ever increasing emphasis on safety in our schools, it is important to realize that some of the equipment that we use in Physical Education, and in particular Adapted Physical Education classes, can be extremely harmful to our students, aides and providers. I am talking about latex and the growing number of latex allergies that we are becoming aware of. In some cases, even the slightest exposure to latex can cause symptoms serious enough to require hospitalization. The worst reaction would be the life threatening condition known as anaphylactic shock.

Individuals who are allergic to latex should not have contact with any product made with natural rubber latex. Even the latex residue on a gym floor surface can be harmful if touched by the allergic individual. Indirect contact of person to person can also occur as well as airborne particles that can be inhaled. Some rubber gym floors may also contain latex and could be a potential problem!

Some of the biggest culprits we come face to face with in physical education are the many types of balloons, certain over-sized ball bladders, and some exercise therapy bands. There are others, of course, and sometimes they are well marked, but these have been the most common offenders. We all love to use balloons, and the light weight floating balls, but many of them are made from latex.

Make sure that the equipment you select, if faced with a latex intolerant individual, is made with something other than latex. Some alternatives are mylar, vinyl, leather, synthetic foam, neoprene, or plastic. Also know that the residue from any previously used latex equipment can cause a problem even after the product has been put away.

by Heather Grunwald / CAPE
Anchorage School District / APE department

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