No Latex Balloons, Please! That is the new sign being posted through out hospitals in the United States and Canada. The hospitals are adopting a "no latex balloons" policy in an effort to reduce their patients' and staff members' exposure to latex. It is becoming more widely known that latex exposure may result in symptoms ranging from a rash to more serious complications like life-threatening asthma or fatal anaphylactic shock and respiratory failure.
Spinal or Bladder Problems
Keeping latex balloons off the pediatric floors at hospitals is becoming a major priority. People who have had spinal or bladder problems as children and used catheters, or people who have had multiple surgeries, may be at greater risk. Lawsuits against the suppliers, manufacturers and distributors of latex products are increasing at a rapid rate.