• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제34권6호
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• pp.1708-1714
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• 2013

Polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) polymers used as an active ingredient in an antibacterial humidifier disinfectant were reported to cause harm to the human health when inhaled, although physical contact with this material was known to present low toxicity to humans. It is therefore necessary to develop an optimal analysis method which enables detection and analysis of PHMG polymers. MALDI-TOF investigations of PHMG are performed with a variety of matrices, and it is found that CHCA and 2,5-DHB are excellent matrices which well reflects the polymer population even at high mass. For the provided PHMG sample, the number-average ($M_n$) and weight-average ($M_w$) molecular masses were determined to be 744.8 and 810.7, respectively, when the CHCA was used as a matrix. The rank of the matrices in terms of averaged molecular weight was CHCA ~2,5-DHB > 5-NSA > DHAP, THAP > ATT > IAA ~ super-DHB ~ HABA. In addition, PSD of the PHMG oligomer ions exhibited a few unique fragmenation characteristics. The formation of a- and c-type fragments was the major fragmentation pathway, and the 25-Da loss peaks generally accompanied a- and c-type fragments.

• 약학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.236-251
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• 1987

The chemistry, antimicrobial properties, organic soil resistance, toxicity, corrosivity and chemical stability of stabilized alkaline 2%, glutaraldehyde solution(SGS) are discussed. SGS retains the maximum antimicrobial activity of alkaline glutaraldehyde solutions and the chemical stability here to fore observed only with acidic glutaraldehyde solutions. These improvements, along with the inherent resistance of glutaradehyde to neutralization by organic soil, allow SGS to be continuously used for 14 days in situations of high dilution, or 28 days in situations of low dilution.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.301-314
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• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this study was to introduce the overall progress of exposure assessment to humidifier disinfectant (HD); to present participants' demographic characteristics, exposure characteristics to humidifier disinfectant, and exposure classification; and furthermore to compare those characteristics between survivors and non-survivors. Methods: An assessment of environmental exposure to HD was conducted using modified HD-specific questionnaires that had been previously validated. We analyzed the data from 4,482 participants who had been potentially exposed to HD and had registered with the KEITI (Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute) from September 2016 to May 2018 (the fourth survey). Environmental exposure assessments were performed as follows: 1) contact with participants, 2) environmental exposure assessment though face-to-face interviews, 3) assessment review and coding, and 4) exposure rating. Results: Overall, survivors made up 77.1% (3,457 subjects) and non-survivors made up 22.9% (1,025 subjects). When compared with the survivors, non-survivors had a higher proportion of subjects aged >60 years and subjects who answered as suffering lung damage and having purchased HD because it is "Beneficial to health" (p<0.05). For the exposure characteristics compared to survivors, non-survivors had a higher proportion of cases of distance from humidifier to face being less that one meter and the spray direction being toward the face (p<0.05). Overall, respondents who used the "Oxy Ssak Ssak New Gaseupgi Dangbun", "Aekyung Gaseupgi Mate", "Homeplus Gaseupgi Chungjungje", and "E-Mart Gaseupgi Salgyunje" products made up 66.1, 12.3, 4.0, and 3.6%, respectively, and 72.5% of respondents used products with PHMG as the active chemical. When compared with survivors, non-survivors had a higher proportion of use of "Oxy Ssak Ssak New Gaseupgi Dangbun" but a lower proportion of use of products with CMIT/MIT, PGH, or PHMG as the active chemical. Conclusions: This study provided demographic characteristics and exposure assessment for applicants who have been injured by HD. In spite of the limitations of performing past exposure assessment through a questionnaire survey, such as recall bias, useful results may be obtained by comparing survivors with non-survivors. Further studies such as the exposure rating method and so on are necessary to assess past exposure to HD.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.183-194
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• 2022

Background: No study has examined the regulatory factors associated with fatal health problems due to the use of humidified disinfectants (HD) in South Korea. Objectives: This study aimed to identify and discuss the deficiencies and limitations found in the Toxic Chemical Control Acts (TCCA) that failed to prevent the health risk of chemicals in HD products. Methods: The South Korean TCCA was reviewed focusing on acts in operation from 1994 through the end of 2011, the period when HD was allowed in manufacturing and marketing. Results: The TCCA was the act intended to regulate the toxicity of chemicals in HD products. We found the TCCA to lack three key legal clauses which would have been essential to controlling the health risk of HD. First, there was the exemption of toxic and hazard testing for existing chemicals, including chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT), methylisothiazolinone (MIT), and benzalkonium chloride (BKC). Secondly, there were no articles requiring industry to provide animal inhalation test result for polymers such as polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) and Oligo(2-)ethoxyethoxyethyl guanidine chloride (PGH). Finally, there was a lack of articles on examining the risk of products as well as on addressing changes in the usage of products. These articles were found to be generally provided in the US Toxic Substance Chemical Act (TSCA) and the EU Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH). Conclusions: In conclusion, the Ministry of Environment of South Korea had not updated key articles for regulating hazardous chemicals, causing large-scale health problems due to HD which had been fundamentally addressed in chemical-related acts in other countries.

• 대한환경공학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.81-87
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• 2006

대부분의 산업 시설에서는 biofouling과 부식 등의 문제가 발생하는데, 이러한 현상의 주된 원인은 생물막의 형성이라고 알려져 있다. 특히 경제적인 문제뿐 아니라 수도 관망과 의료시설 등에서 형성된 생물막은 건강상의 문제점을 초래할 수 있다. 이제까지 생물막 형성을 제어하기 위해 많은 연구들이 이루어져 왔지만, 현재까지 효과적인 방안이 정립되지 못하였다. 본 연구에서는 비산화성 소독제인 은 화합물을 효과적인 생물막 소독제로 제시하고자 한다. 은은 반응성이 약해서 물 속의 병원성 미생물을 소독하는데 크게 효과적이지 못하지만, 다른 소독제와 달리 인체에 무해하고, 소독 부산물을 생성시키지 않으며, 안정성이 뛰어나 잔류 효과가 크다는 점에서 2차 소독제로써 가능성을 인정받고 있다. 은 이온과 산화 은을 이용하여 생물막과 수중 미생물에 대한 소독능을 평가한 결과, 은의 약한 반응성이 생물막 소득에는 오히려 장점으로 작용하는 것으로 나타났다. 지표 미생물(E. coli, P. aeruginosa)의 생물막에 대해서 염소에 비해 은이 비슷하거나 오히려 뛰어난 소독능을 보였다. 이는 염소에 비해 반응성이 약한 은이 생물막 외부에서 소모되지 않고 생물막 내부로 잘 침투되었기 때문으로 보인다.

• 한국안광학회지
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.63-69
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• 2005

소프트 콘택트렌즈용 합성 보존제로서 시중에 널리 알려진 B사의 R제품과 천연 보존제인 나린진이 가토안의 각막 상피와 내피에 미치는 영향을 주사전자현미경을 통하여 관찰하였다. 나린진의 주성분은 자몽씨 추출물로서 이는 항산화를 일으키는 Flavonoid의 구성성분 중 하나로 식품과 화장품의 보존제로서도 이미 많이 사용되고 있다. 합성 보존제의 독성은 배양된 세포에서 MTT 분석과 LDH leakage 분석을 통하여 발표된 바는 있으나 가토안의 각막에 합성 보존제와 천연 보존제를 직접 안구에 투여하여 관찰한 예는 없었다. 이에 본 연구는 가토안의 각막에 일주일간 천연보존제인 나린진과 합성 보존제인 B사의 R제품을 안구에 각각 투여한 다음 Rose bengal staining 후, 광학카메라를 통하여 독성을 관찰 하였으며 안구를 적출하여 처리 후, 주사전자현미경을 통하여 각막상피와 내피의 손상정도를 형태학적으로 분석하였다.

• 한국잠사곤충학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.19-23
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• 1977

차아염소산 나트륨용액의 실험실내에서의 간이시험을 통하여 양잠소독 약제로써의 적용가능성을 얻고 경화병원균에 대한 생물학적 약효검정에 대한 시험결과 아래와 같은 성적을 얻었다. 1. 차아염소산 나트륨용액 1,3,5%를 누에에 처리하여 약제가 누에표피에 접착됨으로써 받은 피해를 조사하였으나 아무런 해가 없는 것으로 나타났다. 2. 차아염소산 나트륨용액 1,3,5%를 누에에 침식하여 약제가 누에의 생리에 미치는 영향을 조사하였으나 약해가 없는 것으로 나타났다. 3. 차아염소산 나트륨용액의 황강병원균에 대한 약효는 생물학적 검정을 통하여 조사한 결과 동약제의 3%의 경우는 춘추잠기에 각각 7.3, 11.4% 발병율을 보였고 5%의 경우는 춘추잠기에 각각 6.7, 10.0%의 발병율을 보임으로써 무처리구의 평균 97%의 발병율을 보인데 비하여 좋은 효과를 보였다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제43권5호
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• pp.349-359
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• 2017

The objective of this study is to review the safety and health information displayed on containers of humidifier disinfectants (HD). We summarized not only general characteristics related to the marketing and manufacturing of HD, such as the duration sold and the name of the company, but also the safety and health information, such as identification of disinfectants, recommended use volume, and precautions. All of this information was reviewed by HD brand. We collected safety and health information from 31 HD brands. We found that companies that sold and manufactured HD brands differ. Two companies were found to sell their HD without permission after 2011 when the health effects caused by HD were widely known. The name of the disinfectants were not identified on the container of HD. The recommended volumes were found not to be based on toxicological evidence and set without consideration of the level of susceptibility of users. Most companies displayed phrases such "this HD is safe for humans, even children" on the front of the container. No inhalation and skin toxicity precautions were provided. In conclusion, most HD did not properly display information related to safety and health to protect the health of HD users. There has been no official investigation to evaluate the risks posed by HD, such as the sales volume by HD, identification of chemical disinfectants, or their concentration, nor have there been actions to control the chemical quality of HD. In addition, government actions to punish the malicious practices of companies that manufactured and sold HD were found to inappropriate.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.166-174
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• 2012

Introduction: After 17 years since the first production of humidifier disinfectants in Korea, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) announced that the odds ratio of lung injury related with humidifier disinfectant usage was 47.3 (95% confidence interval 6.0-369.7) according to a case-control study with 18 adult cases, including 8 pregnant women at a university hospital in Seoul. Results: From September 2011 to April 2012, one-hundred and seventy four victim cases have been reported to an environmental non-governmental group (NGO). We summarized timetable of humidifier disinfectants accidents, analyzed health outcomes (death, lung or lung and heart transplantation, pulmonary disease) of reported victims, and classified some information for humidifier disinfectants with health outcomes, and government action for this accident. Among the victims, number of death cases are 52 (30.0%), including 26 babies less than 3 years old. Sixty-nine victims come from twenty-seven family with 2 to 4 members per family. About twenty types of humidifier disinfectant products and about 600,000 product items a year have been sold. Fifty-two death cases used 7 different types of disinfectant products, including imported goods and some private brands of well-known supermarkets. KCDC confirmed inhalation toxicity of 6 products through an animal experimental test, and based on this observation recalled disinfectants containing PHMG (polyhexamethylene guanidine) and PGH (Oligo(2-(2-ethoxy)ethoxyethyl guanidinium chloride). Discussions: The use of these biocides involved highly fatal consequences among biologically vulnerable victims, such as pregnant women, several family member victims after semi-acute exposure. This is the first biocide disaster in Korea with non-specific targets, and unknown scale of victims, warranting concerns on use of biocides in the living environment. Conclusions: Special administrative agency for chemical safety and compensation act for environmental health victims are needed to prevent similar problems.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.1-22
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• 2017

'The worstest environment disaster', 'World's first biocide massacre', 'Home-based Sewol ferry disaster' are all phrases attached to the recent humidifier disinfectant disaster. In the spring of 2011, four of 8 pregnant women including 1 adult man passed away at a university hospital in Seoul due to breathing failure. Epidemiologic investigation conducted by the Korean CDC soon revealed the inhalation of humidifier disinfectant, which had been widely used in Korea during the winter, to be responsible for the disease. As well as lung fibrosis hardening of the lungs, other diseases including asthma, rhinitis, skin disease, liver disease, fetal disease or cancers have been researched for their relation with exposure to the products. By February 9, 2017, 5,342 cases had registered for health problems and 1,131 of them were already dead (20.8% mortality rate). Based on studies by government agencies and a telephone survey of the general population by Seoul National University and civic groups, around 20% of the general public of Korea has used these products. Since the market release of the first product by SK Chemical in 1994, over 7.1 million items from around 20 brands were sold up to 2011. Most of the products were manufactured by well-known large conglomerates such as SK, Lotte, Samsung, Shinsegye, LG, and GS, as well as some European companies including UK-based Reckitt Benckiser and TESCO, the German firm Henkel, the Danish firm KeTox, and an Irish company. Even though this disaster was unveiled in 2011 by the Korean government, the issue of the victims was neglected for over five years. In 2016, an unexpected but intensive investigation by prosecutors found that Reckitt Benckiser manipulated and concealed animal tests for its own brand and brought several university experts and company employees to court. The matter was an intense social issue in Korea from May to June with a surge in media coverage. The prosecutor's investigation and a nationwide boycott campaign organized by victims and environmental groups against Reckitt Benckiser, whose product had been used by more than 70% of victims, led to the producer's official apology and a compensation scheme. A legislative investigation organized after the April 2016 national election revealed the producers' faults and the government's responsibility, but failed to meet expectations. A special law for the victims passed the National Assembly in January 2017 and a punitive system together with a massive environmental epidemiology investigation are expected to be the only solutions for this tragedy. Sciences of medicine, toxicology and environmental health have provided decisive evidence so far, but for the remaining problems the perspectives of social sciences such as sociology and jurisprudence are highly necessary, similar to with the Minamata disease and Wonjin Rayon events. It may not be easy to follow this issue using unfamiliar terminology from medical and chemical science and the long, complicated history of the event. For these reasons the author has attempted to write this article in a question and answer format to render it easier to follow. The 17 questions are: Q1 What is humidifier disinfectant? Q2 What kind of health problems are caused by humidifier disinfectant? Q3 How many victims are there? Q4 What is the analysis of the 1,112 cases of death? Q5 What is the problem with the government's diagnostic criteria and the solution? Q6 Who made what brands? Q7 Has there been a recall? What is still on sale? Q8 Was safety not checked by any producers? Q9 What are the government's responsibilities? Q10 Is it true that these products were sold only in Korea? Q11 Why and how was it unveiled only in 2011 after 17 years of sales? Q12 What delayed the resolution of the victim issue? Q13 What is the background of the prosecutor's investigation in early 2016? Q14 Is it possible to report new victim cases without evidence of product purchase? Q15 What is happening with the victim issue? Q16 How does it compare with the cases of Minamata disease and Wonjin Rayon? Q17 Are there prevention measures and lessons?