Company News...


Need for Safety and Sanitary Supplies Increasing
Events such as AIDS, SARS, Anthrax, escalating terrorism, wars and catastrophic natural events like the recent Tsunami in Asia, continue to increase the need for safety and sanitary supplies. Washington Trade International, Inc.'s safety and sanitary supplies offer the latest advances in infection and contamination control to professionals in the health care, food service, relief work, cosmetology, janitorial and many other industries. Our high-quality glove and facemask products are designed and manufactured for superior protection against viral, bacterial, and certain chemical hazards. Since 1989, we have grown to become a worldwide company by finding leading-edge, cost-effective solutions to the ever-changing safety and comfort needs of our customers.



Worldwide Distribution
Our products are manufactured in Malaysia, China, Thailand, Mexico and the United States. We ship directly from the factories to our largest customers via containers on ocean liners and freight trains. The majority of our customers who purchase in pallet or case quantities are served through our various distribution channels in the United States. We ship from warehouses located in California, Washington, Georgia, Florida and New Jersey. Our volume, experience and long term relationships with freight companies allows us to move our products from the warehouses to your doorstep quickly and economically.



About Latex Allergy
It is estimated that 1% of the U.S. population is allergic to latex. For people who are exposed to latex on a daily basis, such as healthcare workers, the figure is estimated to be 8%. The issue of allergic reactions to latex has intensified in recent years and has created fear and confusion among some end users.

While the studies are not yet conclusive, it seems that prolonged and continuous exposure to proteins in the latex can lead to allergic reactions in certain individuals. The typical latex glove manufacturing process reduces these naturally-occurring proteins but does not eliminate them completely. Recently, the disposable glove industry has developed "low-protein" latex gloves, from which most of the skin-irritating proteins have been removed. These gloves have become extremely popular with sensitive glove wearers everywhere.

Washington Trade International is proud to carry the UniSeal® line of low-protein gloves, including the SureGrip® glove. All latex glove products from UniSeal® have a clearly visible caution statement on the package for sensitized individuals.

Latex allergy can be a serious health issue, and those sensitive to latex should use non-latex synthetic gloves such as vinyl or nitrile.