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http://dx.doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2021.47.3.193

A Scientific Critique of a Korean Court's Acquittal for Involuntary Manslaughter Related to 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one/2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one (CMIT/MIT), a Humidifier Disinfectant (HD) Part II: Animal experiments, criteria for HD lung injury, and causality on individual levels  

Park, Dong-Uk (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University)
Zoh, Kyung Ehi (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
Kim, Jiwon (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University)
Choi, Sangjun (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea)
Lee, So-yeon (Department of Pediatrics, Humidifier Disinfectant Health Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine)
Jun, Hyoungbae (Law School, Kangwon National University)
Park, Taehyun (Law School, Kangwon National University)
Publication Information
Journal of Environmental Health Sciences / v.47, no.3, 2021 , pp. 193-204 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: In January 2021, the former heads of the manufacturer SK Chemical and the vendor Aekyung were acquitted for manufacturing and selling humidifier disinfectant (HD) containing 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one/2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one (CMIT/MIT). In this article, we analyzed the rationale used in this judgement in the light of scientific consideration. Methods: The sentencing document for the judgements was obtained from the Korea Supreme Court Service. In particular, the judgements made by the court related to the toxicological and individual association with HD perspectives were discussed based on scientific evidence. Results: The ruling stated that the necessary conditions for causality between CMIT/MIT and such diseases were not met based on the fact that asthma and lung damage were not found in the inhalation exposure animal experiments. The judgment overlooked the inevitable limitations of using animal experiments for verifying health effects in humans, which are often inconsistent with the observations in animals. Among 11 governmentaffirmed lung injury cases with CMIT/MIT usage, three patients' humidifier disinfectant-associated lung injury (HDLI) pathology proved that CMIT/MIT could cause lung injury similar to that caused by PHMG and PGH. In addition, five children showed decreased lung function related to damage caused by humidifier disinfectant exposure. Conclusions: We conclude that there is sufficient evidence supporting the assertion that HDs containing CMIT/MIT cause lung injuries, including asthma, contrary to the court's decision.
Keywords
CMIT/MIT (5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one/2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one); humidifier disinfectant (HD); humidifier disinfectant-associated lung injury (HDLI); causality; uncertainty; court judgment;
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