One reader wrote in to let us know about the risk of latex allergy. TSA reportedly uses latex gloves:
Anyone who has a latex allergy is at risk due to the TSA policies: both frisking and searches of luggage can pose contamination risks as most latex gloves have a powder on them which will end up on the person/their belongings and in some individuals can easily cause an anaphylactic episode.
Another reader on Facebook looked into this and reports:
Finally after months of asking and no one willing to answer me at TSA got an answer…TSA only uses Latex gloves…I was asking cause I have a legit life threatening severe allergy…Email I got back today implies they don’t have anything but Latex and will force me to use the AIt machine if I state said allergy…How can that be legal and maybe a few who also have allergy could use it as a delay tactic tomorrow if they have to fly. Implied I would have no option of pat down at all….Does the TSA really hate disabled people so much? AIT or I cannot fly! WHAT? Can we say Americas with disabilities act?
According to an American Latex Allergy Association newsletter from 2002, the TSA does not use latex gloves. So when did this change?
This is what happens when authoritarian monopolies shove things down our throat. They’re not accountable to the consumer so they have no incentive to get it right. An organization that’s not a monopoly and actually depends on customers to support it would either not make this mistake or would quickly rectify the problem.
I’d like to see an ADA lawsuit against TSA. There is an alternative to latex-gloves, just like with condoms. But the bureaucracy hasn’t considered this and they do not care. Not surprising at all.
They’re nitrile.
Apparently the person making inquiries was told otherwise. The TSA needs to get their facts straight.
The use of nitrile gloves makes sense and they do look like the latex-free gloves you can get at the store and are available at dentist offices.
cut and pasted from My “TSA Horror Story”: https://wewontfly.com/julie-in-charlotte-during-this-pat-down-it-was-determined-that-i-had-explosive-material-on-me
(to the tune of the Star-Spangled Banner)
O, say can you see
in the dim airport light
how so rudely these folk
are invading privacy?
They would make us parade
through interm’nable lines
for irradiation
and virtual indecency.
Should we choose to opt out,
feel their hands all about
because they won’t take our word
on what’s not in our shorts?
No way we’ll tolerate this pathetic display
as ‘security’ while they take rights away.
—————–
Please disseminate and/or improve at will!
They are nitrile.
I was just coming here to add they are nitrile. They look exactly like the ones I use everyday (I’m in the medical field). Ours are all nitrile.
Folks I wrote TSA and have attempted to call many times over the last months to no avail, until I wrote Salt lake airport office of the TSA. I recieved an e-mail back (which I stupidly erased, insert kick my self for ever trusting the TSA) two days ago(they were very prompt in responding back. I specifically stated reason I was asking about the gloves (severe and escalating allergies with several near fatal anaphalactic episodes and doctor and I have been going over accessing risk. I stated I had not flown in years and so I needed know so I could prepare myself (I have a job offer on the table that would require air travel). I also am an american who has medical equipment (CPAP) that I travel with and if touched by Latex laiden gloves could potentially cross contaminant and kill me. The answer I recieved was that they ONLY used Latex gloves and that I must check with the Special needs table(medical need) that is set up before entering security area. I must ask for a Supervisor and I would be escorted though security by said officer and that my only option available to me was the AIT machine fo my safety. I would not be afforded any other option. Of course if something suspect was found on me after AIT it was never cited if I would be required to just leave and not fly or whether some other accomadation would be availed me……..Now thinking about it, I am of course assuming that all TSA have one contractor that supplies gloves to all airports across the country logically? Maybe not? I have not asked? When I wrote I did use the wording “Does your airport?………………………” But I was definiately told ONLY LATEX……I know in years past(many moons ago) TSA had literature out stating NO LATEX…Part of why I asked is I can find nothing in writing in the last few years from TSA stating NO LATEX……….So who am I suppose to put my lifes hands in a few members of the public who say no, no , no Its not Latex or straight from the source. YOU TELL ME!!! Do I risk my life or ask questions? I am not opposed to further inquiry I have nothing to hide. I am an open book.
I’d say your best bet would be to bring a few pairs of non-latex gloves and insist that if you require a pat-down, the TSO doing it MUST wash their hands thoroughly with soap and warm water and wear the non-latex gloves. Also, get a note from your doctor stating that you do have a severe allergy to latex and that they MUST use the non-latex gloves.
If the TSOs refuse, get a supervisor and explain your situation. If they’re just as stubborn as their subordinates, lawyer up.
My wife is allergic both to Latex AND Aloe, we constantly have to tell the hospital that only nitrate gloves can be used. I can only imagine if we had to go through a security checkpoint, thankfully We Wont Fly!