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http://dx.doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2020.46.4.457

An Estimation of Population at Risk of Exposure to Humidifier Disinfectant and Associated Health Effects  

Byeon, Jieun (Department of Public Health Science, Graduate School of Korea University)
Kim, Hee-sung (Southernpost)
Park, Moon-young (Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
Lee, Kyoung-mu (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University)
Hong, Mueng-Gun (Special Investigation Commission on Humidifier Disinfectants & 4.16 Sewol Ferry Disasters)
Choi, Ye-yong (Special Investigation Commission on Humidifier Disinfectants & 4.16 Sewol Ferry Disasters)
Publication Information
Journal of Environmental Health Sciences / v.46, no.4, 2020 , pp. 457-469 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objective: This study was designed to estimate the precise nationwide number of those who used humidifier disinfectants (HDs) and experienced specific health effects, including death, due to exposure to HDs in Korea between 1994 and 2011. Methods: A total of 5,000 households (15,472 people) were surveyed by stratifying the sample with a design that is equivalent to nationally approved household systematic sampling and face-to-face interviews from October 16, 2019 to December 30, 2019. Results: The proportion of use of humidifier disinfectants at home was 18.4% (2,844/15,472 people) and the proportion of those who experienced health effects among those who were exposed to HDs was 10.7% (303/2,844 people). Based on these factors, it was estimated that 8.94 million people (95% CI=8.25-9.63 million) were exposed to HDs and 0.95 million people (95% CI=0.87-1.02 million) experienced health effects, which means almost one in five and one in fifty Koreans respectively. The estimated number of deaths from HDs were 20,366 people (95% CI=18,801-21,931). Conclusion: The survey was large and analyzed a representative sample across the country, so this estimation of the nationwide population exposed and at risk to HDs is more accurate and reliable than previous studies. However, it is necessary to confirm whether results similar to those of this study can be reproduced through a survey using a cross-sectional survey at the national level. In particular, a survey focused on death cases is needed.
Keywords
Humidifier disinfectant; population at risk exposure; health effects; systematic sampling;
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Times Cited By KSCI : 6  (Citation Analysis)
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