Natural Rubber Latex

What is natural rubber latex?

We use the word "latex" most often to refer to natural rubber latex (NRL), the milky white sap from the rubber tree Hevea Brasiliensis.

The milky sap that we call latex is composed of many compounds that include rubber globules and tree proteins. Of the many proteins found in latex, certain specific proteins have been identified as being of greatest concern because they are strongly allergenic (allergy producing).

Both the words "latex" and "rubber" are often used and do not always mean natural rubber latex. For example, latex paints and caulking are usually synthetic products that do not contain natural rubber latex and its proteins.