• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.340-357
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this paper is to help develop a comprehensive understanding of the humidifier disinfectant disaster from diverse perspectives based on a critical review of the relevant academic research papers published so far in the fields of both natural and social science. The authors reviewed pertinent articles in the six academic areas of law, social science, humanities, medicine, toxicology, and environmental health. A proper understanding of the issue of humidifier disinfectant is a challenging task because diverse aspects of it have become related over the more than two decades since such products were first released to the market in 1994. Technical and esoteric issues such as the complex system for relief and compensation for health damages and the approval of chemical toxicity are known to be major impediments to viewing the bigger picture regarding this tragedy. The authors believe that experts need to consider a comprehensive perspective going beyond their individual research arena to gain a better understanding of this issue, especially since it was an alarm signal on ethics and the role of experts and scholars in Korean society. Besides the two professors arrested by the prosecutor's office, it should be remembered that medical doctors recommended patients use humidifiers and disinfectants, and the media was inactive in reporting on this issue. Furthermore, the current paucity of examination of the social and political implications of this tragedy calls for more active engagement by researchers in the humanities and social sciences. In this regard, this paper is a work of self-examination and self-criticism by the authors that could resonate with the overall academic community.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.360-364
• /
• 2001

It is known as the allylisothiocyanate which is extracted from Wasabia koreana\\\\\\\\`s root. It contains 80% of the oil refining material. The allylisothiocyanate as secondary metabolites of Wasabia koreana plant is a possibility of having the high value which is useful. The research observed the allylisothiocyanate material as the basic study for industrializing to make its mass product. Finally, it shows that the antimicrobial and disinfectant effect against the microbe incubated adding 50 ppm allylisothiocyanate for 15 hours.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.26 no.2 s.71
• /
• pp.107-111
• /
• 1987

Experiments were caried out to invesstigate the effects of seed disinfectant and the chemical control method in the paddy field for the rice white-tip nematode, Aphelenchoides besseyi. All three seed disinfectants tested, MEP 50% EC, Fenthion 50% EC, Dasuzin 34% EC showed effective control without any symptom of phytotoxicity. Mixed treatments with fungicides, Benoram 40% Wp, proraz-25% EC, TCM 30% EC also showed the effective control and no phytotoxicity. Effective chemical control methods for the rice white-tip nematode in paddy fields was seed disinfectant before seeding and Carbofuran 3% G. on the day before the transplanting, or seed disinfectatnt + Carbofuran 3% G. water surface treatment on the early stage of injury.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.193-204
• /
• 2021

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.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.495-503
• /
• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to compare the characteristics of humidifier disinfectant-like products (HD-like products) and humidifier disinfectant products (HD products) and introduce actual cases of the usage of HD-like products in hospitals based on an on-site investigation. Methods: The characteristics, chemical components, and usage of HD-like products (Hichlor or Biospot) and HD products (N-with) containing NaDCC (sodium dichloroisocyanurate) were compared. In the process of conducting the on-site investigation, four hospitals were identified as previously using HD-like products. Each on-site investigation to identify the use of HD-like products was composed of four parts: 1) hospital infection control guidelines, 2) manual for humidifiers in patient's rooms, 3) interviews with nursing staff, infection managers, and purchase managers, 4) searching on the product purchase system. Results: Although HD-like products (Hichlor and Biospot) and HD products (N-with) were sold for different usage purposes, they were all white-colored and coin-shaped foaming tablets with the same chemical component, NaDCC. The manual for using HD-like products and HD products was similar (inserting the tablet in a humidifier container with water). Among the four hospitals, one had used Hichlor in the same manner as HD (N-with) by inserting a tablet in 1L of water in a filled humidifier container and Biospot as a kind of detergent for humidifier container cleaning. Another two hospitals had used Biospot and/or Aniosyme as a kind of detergent for humidifier container cleaning. The other hospital had used unknown product in the same manner as N-with, so we thus assumed it was either an HD products (N-with) or HD-like products (Hichlor, Biospot). Conclusion: This study raises the possibility of the development of adverse health effects similar to exposure to an HD-products when exposed to an HD-like products and the possibility of further use in other medical institutions or multi-use facilities. Therefore, an expansion of the investigation is needed in order to confirm whether there have been similar cases in the past.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.631-637
• /
• 2022

Objective: Surface disinfection is important in the proper running of livestock farms. However, disinfection of farm equipment and facilities is difficult because they are made of different materials, besides having large surface areas and complex structures. 3-(trimethoxysilyl)-propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride (Si-QAC) is a quaternary ammonium salt-based disinfectant that attaches to various surfaces by forming covalent bonds and maintains its disinfecting capacity for a considerable time. Our aim was to evaluate the potential use of Si-QAC for disinfection of farm equipment and facilities. Methods: The short- and long-term antimicrobial and antiviral effects of Si-QAC were evaluated in both laboratory and farm settings using modified quantitative assessment method based on the standard operating procedures of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Results: Si-QAC was highly effective in controlling the growth of the Newcastle disease virus and avian pathogenic Escherichia coli. Electron microscopy revealed that the mechanism underlying the disinfection activity of Si-QAC was associated with its ability to damage the outer membrane of the pathogen cells. In the field test, Si-QAC effectively reduced viral contamination of surfaces of equipment and space. Conclusion: Our results suggest that Si-QAC has great potential as an effective chemical for disinfecting farm equipment and facilities. This disinfectant could retain its disinfection ability longer than other commercial disinfectants and contribute to better farm biosecurity.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.437-445
• /
• 2022

This paper presents an experimental study on the main management factors of the condenser contamination such as fouling and corrosion for the R-134a turbo-chiller to save energy, reduce corrosion rates, and reduce maintenance costs through the application of condenser non-cleaning water treatment chemical. The series of experiment is conducted using combining oxidative microbial sterilizers, non-oxidizing microbial sterilizers, and anti-corrosion agents. The leaving temperature difference and corrosion rates for three different combination of chemicals are collected and analyzed. The experimental results show that the cost reduction (4,066,000 Won/year) of the disinfectant (FT-830) can be achieved by adding the oxidative disinfectant (NaOCl) and the non-oxidizing disinfectant (NX-1116). The LTD value is maintained at 1.9℃, and the corrosion rates of copper and carbon steel specimens are 0.07 mpy and 1.61 mpy, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.65-69
• /
• 2003

The effects of grapefruit seed extract and $H_2O_2$ disinfectants on Pseudomonas aeruginosa were investigated by antimicrobial assay and scanning electron microscopy. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram negative bacteria and a common causative microorganism of bacterial keratitis. After incubation of soft contact lens in Pseudomonas aeruginosa suspension for 120 minutes containing the disinfectants, the grapefruit seed extract showed antimicrobial activity as good as the chemical disinfectant. The living rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in grapefruit seed extract and $H_2O_2$ disinfectants were $1{\times10^3CFU/m{\ell}$ and $0.5{\times}10^3CFU/m{\ell}$, respectively showing no major difference in the killing activity. However, the mechanisms of the antimicrobial activity were quite different as indicated by scanning electron microscopy of the bacterial surface morphology. Considering chemically or other toxins induced keratitis, the natural disinfectant isolated from grapefruit seed extract shows promising results as a soft contact lens disinfectant.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.31
• /
• pp.4.1-4.2
• /
• 2016

Once released into the air, humidifier disinfectants became tiny nano-size particles, and resulted in chemical bronchoalveolitis. Families had lost their most beloved members, and even some of them became broken. Based on an estimate of two million potential victims who had experienced adverse effects from the use of humidifier disinfectants, we can say that what we have observed was only the tip of the iceberg. Problems of entire airways, as well as other systemic effects, should be examined, as we know these nano-size particles can irritate cell membranes and migrate into systemic circulation. The story of humidifier disinfectant is not finished yet.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.764-764
• /
• 2020