Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Affecting Factors of Lung Disease and Classification of Exposure Rating of Applicants for Injuries from Humidifier Disinfectants

가습기살균제 피해신청자들의 노출등급 분류 및 폐질환 발생 영향요인 분석

  • Gihong, Min (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Junghyun, Shin (Korea Society of Environment Health) ;
  • Eun-Kyung, Jo (Korea Society of Environment Health) ;
  • Dayoung, Jeong (Korea Society of Environment Health) ;
  • Jiyoon, Ryu (Korea Society of Environment Health) ;
  • Dongjun, Kim (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Jaemin, Woo (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Sungho, Bae (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Jihun, Shin (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Seula, Lee (Department of Preventive Medicine, Gachon University College of Medicine) ;
  • Yoon-Hyeong, Choi (Department of Preventive Medicine, Gachon University College of Medicine) ;
  • Wonho, Yang (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University)
  • 민기홍 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 신정현 (한국환경보건학회) ;
  • 조은경 (한국환경보건학회) ;
  • 정다영 (한국환경보건학회) ;
  • 류지윤 (한국환경보건학회) ;
  • 김동준 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 우재민 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 배성호 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 신지훈 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 이슬아 (가천대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 최윤형 (가천대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 양원호 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과)
  • Received : 2022.12.05
  • Accepted : 2022.12.20
  • Published : 2022.12.31
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Abstract

Background: Lung injuries due to exposure to humidifier disinfectants (HDs) were reported in 2011 in South Korea. As a result of the government's epidemiological investigation and toxicity test study, it was found that HDs caused health damage such as lung disease. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to classify HD exposure ratings and analyze the affecting factors that could identify the relationship with lung disease. Methods: Exposure assessment for HDs was conducted using a questionnaire during face-to-face interviews with the applicants. Ratings of high exposure (Class 1) and low exposure (Class 2) were cross-tabulated with clinical ratings (acceptable and unacceptable). Logistic regression analysis was carried out by setting the clinical rating of lung disease as a dependent variable and the socio-demographic and exposure characteristics obtained through the questionnaire as independent variables. Results: The concentration in air of polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) was 71.96±107.47 ㎍/m3, and the exposure concentration was 15.21±23.28 ㎍/m3 . The exposure rating was overestimated with 97.1% of affected subjects having high exposure using margin of exposure (MOE), but only 9.9% matching the clinical class. In the overestimated group, it could be explained by the fact that the exposure time was long and the subjects had already recovered from damage symptoms. As a result of logistic regression analysis, ten variables were found to be significant influencing factors. Conclusions: A new exposure rating could be calculated based on the MOE, and factors affecting lung disease could be estimated through comparative evaluation with the clinical rating.

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