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http://dx.doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2019.45.4.358

Case Studies of Exposures to Humidifier Disinfectant in Hospitals: Focusing on the Exposure Assessment of the Fourth Round of Applicants  

Han, Kyunghee (Department of Preventive Medicine, Gachon University College of Medicine)
Yoon, Jeonggyo (Department of Preventive Medicine, Gachon University College of Medicine)
Jo, Eun-Kyung (Korean Society of Environmental Health)
Ryu, Hyeonsu (Department of Occupational Health, Daegu Catholic University)
Yang, Wonho (Department of Occupational Health, Daegu Catholic University)
Choi, Yoon-Hyeong (Department of Preventive Medicine, Gachon University College of Medicine)
Publication Information
Journal of Environmental Health Sciences / v.45, no.4, 2019 , pp. 358-369 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to introduce cases of exposure to humidifier disinfectant (HD) in hospitals and to present their exposure characteristics. Methods: We used data from 4,393 subjects who participated in the fourth assessment survey of environmental exposure to HD conducted by the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute. In this study, we selected 301 subjects who reported their place of use of HD as a hospital. Then, we classified cases as 'Hospital-provided'. 'Probably hospital-provided', 'Individual purchased', and 'Unknown' according to the supply sources of HD. Also, we introduced detailed exposure characteristics for the selected cases. Results: Of the 4,393 subjects, 301 (6.9%) reported the use of HD in 392 hospitals (including duplicate answers for the use in ${\geq}2$ hospitals). The 301 hospital-user subjects included 139 survivors and 162 non-survivors. When we classified the 392 cases by supply sources, 'Hospital-provided' was 12.2% (48 cases), 'Probably hospital-provided' was 25.5% (100 cases), 'Individual purchased' was 59.7% (234 cases), and 'Unknown' was 2.6% (10 cases). Among the 'Hospital-provided' cases, we selected six cases and provided a detailed description of the HD use in this study. Additionally, we reported details for six cases that had purchased HD upon a doctor or nurse's recommendation and for three cases that had purchased it at hospital stores. Conclusion: This study presents various cases of HD exposure in hospitals. Because there may be a considerable burden of HD exposure in public spaces, including hospitals, further studies are necessary to assess HD exposure in hospitals and public places.
Keywords
Humidifier disinfectant; hospital exposure; hospital-provided; probably hospital-provided; exposure classification;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 3  (Citation Analysis)
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