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http://dx.doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2020.46.2.128

Abrupt Rise of Humidifier Disinfectant Associated Health Problems since 2008: Was it chance or inevitable?  

Park, Dong-Uk (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University)
Park, Soyoung (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine)
Park, Ju-Hyun (Department of Statistics, Dongguk University)
Park, Jihoon (Environmental Safety Group, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Europe Forschungsgesellschaft mbH)
Hong, Soo-Jong (Department of Pediatrics, Childhood Asthma and Atopy Center, Environmental Health Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine)
Paek, Domyung (Department of Environmental Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
Publication Information
Journal of Environmental Health Sciences / v.46, no.2, 2020 , pp. 128-135 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objective: The objectives of this study are to report the number of humidifier disinfectant (HD) associated health problems, including HD associated lung injury (HDLI), by year. This data was analyzed by the type of HD and HD brand. Methods: A total of 530 patients registered with the national program on HD through its third round were distributed based on the year when they developed their first health problem including HDLI (N=221). The distribution of health problems at diagnosis was clinically evaluated in order to examine the association between their lung injury and the use of HD. Results: The number of HD associated victims and HDLI patients was found to rise sharply from 2008 to 2011, with a peak in 2011. This trend was found not only for HD brands containing polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG), but also chloromethylisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (CMIT/MIT). The number of patients who responded as developing health problems in the specific year was 35 for 2008, 51 for 2009, 108 for 2010 and 182 for 2011. Other types of HD brands and HD chemicals did not follow the trend of abrupt increase in HD associated patients since 2008. Conclusion: This study found the number of HD associated victims and HDLI patients who used HD brands containing PHMG sharply increased starting in 2008. A significant change in the process of manufacturing PHMG can be suspected with the abrupt rise in HD associated patients in specific years.
Keywords
Humidifier disinfectant (HD); HD associated lung injury (HDLI); HD associated health problem;
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