New-Onset and Exacerbation of Lung Diseases after Short-Term Exposures to Humidifier Disinfectant during Hospitalizationopen access
- Authors
- Lee, Seula; Han, Kyunghee; Yoon, Jeonggyo; Jo, Eun-Kyung; Yang, Wonho; Choi, Yoon-Hyeong
- Issue Date
- Jul-2022
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Keywords
- humidifier disinfectants; lung disease; short-term exposure; hospital exposure; PHMG; CMIT/MIT; PGH
- Citation
- TOXICS, v.10, no.7
- Journal Title
- TOXICS
- Volume
- 10
- Number
- 7
- URI
- https://scholarworks.bwise.kr/gachon/handle/2020.sw.gachon/85525
- DOI
- 10.3390/toxics10070371
- ISSN
- 2305-6304
- Abstract
- (1) Background: Humidifier disinfectant (HD) is a biocidal chemical to keep the water tank inside a humidifier clean. Thousands of Koreans have experienced HD-related lung injuries. Of them, 6.9% were exposed to HD in hospitals. (2) Methods: This study investigated changes of diseases in patients (or caregivers) who experienced HD exposures during hospitalization and also investigated characteristics of hospital exposure using data from all HD-related lung injury enrollment in Korea. (3) Results: Of a total of 162 subjects, 139 subjects were hospitalized for non-lung diseases, and 23 people were hospitalized for lung diseases at the time of hospitalization. During hospital exposure, 99 (71.2%) of those hospitalized with non-lung disease experienced a new-onset of lung disease, and 15 (65.2%) of those hospitalized with lung diseases experienced exacerbation of their existing lung diseases. When we compared their exposure characteristics, those exposed in hospitals (vs. non-hospital, mostly home) were exposed for shorter periods, at closer distances, at higher HD indoor concentrations, constantly all day, and directly in the facial direction. (4) Conclusion: In conclusion, HD exposures in hospital with a high intensity even for a short term were associated with new-onset or exacerbation of lung diseases. Our findings suggest that acute exposures to HD can cause lung diseases.
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Collections - 의과대학 > 의예과 > 1. Journal Articles
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