2008년부터 가습기 살균제 건강 피해 급증: 우연인가, 필연인가?

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is 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 second round is 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 to develop health problems at the specific year was 35 at 2008, 51 at 2009, 108 at 2010 and 182 at 2011, respectively. 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. The significant change in the process of manufacture PHMG can be suspected with the abrupt rise in HD associated patients in specific year.