Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Review on Safety and Health Information on Humidifier Disinfectant

가습기 살균제 제품에 표기된 안전보건정보 고찰

  • Park, Dong-Uk (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University) ;
  • Lee, Seunghee (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University) ;
  • Lim, Heung-Kyu (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University) ;
  • Bae, Seo-Youn (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University) ;
  • Ryu, Seung-Hun (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
  • Ahn, Jong-Ju (Korean Social Policy Institute)
  • 박동욱 (한국방송통신대학교 환경보건학과) ;
  • 이승희 (한국방송통신대학교 환경보건학과) ;
  • 임흥규 (한국방송통신대학교 환경보건학과) ;
  • 배서연 (한국방송통신대학교 환경보건학과) ;
  • 류승훈 (서울대학교 보건대학원 환경보건학과) ;
  • 안종주 (한국사회정책연구원)
  • Received : 2017.10.15
  • Accepted : 2017.10.24
  • Published : 2017.10.31
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Abstract

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.

Keywords

References

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