Latex facts for kids
Latex is a milky liquid that comes from the sap of certain plants. The most famous plant that produces latex is the Para rubber tree. This tree got its name from the state of Pará in Brazil, where it was first widely used. People use latex to make rubber. Long ago, the city of Manaus in Brazil became very rich because of latex. Today, most natural latex comes from countries in Southeast Asia, like Malaysia and Indonesia. Besides natural latex, rubber can also be made in factories using man-made materials; this is called synthetic rubber.
How We Use Latex
The milky liquid, latex, from many different plants can be turned into useful materials.
Natural rubber is the most important product we get from latex. More than 12,000 types of plants produce latex that contains rubber. However, for most of these plants, the rubber isn't good enough to be used in products we buy. The latex from the rubber tree is used to make many things like mattresses, gloves, swim caps, special medical tubes called catheters, and balloons.
Other types of latex, like those from the Balatá and gutta percha trees, contain a material similar to rubber but it's not stretchy.
Latex from the chicle and jelutong trees is used to make chewing gum.
The dried latex from the opium poppy plant is called opium. This opium is a source of several important medicines, known as alkaloids, such as morphine, codeine, and papaverine. These are used in hospitals for pain relief and other medical treatments.
Man-made latexes, called synthetic latexes, are used in coatings, like latex paint, and in glues. They work well because they become solid as the water in them dries up. This means they can form a strong film without releasing harmful chemicals into the air. Synthetic latex is also used in cement to make it stronger, and to cover hidden information on scratchcards. It's also used in medical tests called immunoassays.
Latex Clothing
Latex is used to make many kinds of clothing. When worn, or even painted directly onto the body, it fits very tightly. This creates a "second skin" look.
Latex Allergies
Some people can have a serious reaction to latex, called a latex allergy. If they touch products made from latex, like latex gloves, it can cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock. This is a serious medical emergency.
A plant called Guayule produces latex that has much less of the protein that causes allergies compared to latex from the Hevea rubber tree. Scientists are studying guayule latex as a safer option for people with allergies. Also, special chemical processes can reduce the amount of allergy-causing proteins in Hevea latex. This creates materials like Vytex Natural Rubber Latex, which cause fewer allergic reactions.
About half of the people who have a birth defect called spina bifida are also allergic to natural latex rubber. People who have had many surgeries or have been around natural latex for a long time can also develop this allergy.
Images for kids
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Rubber tapping latex
See also
In Spanish: Látex para niños
