Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Classification and Characterization of Exposure Rating in Humidifier Disinfectants through Calculation of PHMG Reference Concentration

PHMG (polyhexamethylene guanidine) 흡입독성참고치 산출을 통한 가습기살균제 노출등급 분류 및 특성

  • Kim, Eunchae (Department of Occupational Health, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Ryu, Hyeonsu (Department of Occupational Health, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Park, Jinhyeon (Department of Occupational Health, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Choe, Youngtae (Department of Occupational Health, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Heo, Jung (Department of Occupational Health, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Lee, Seula (Department of Preventive Medicine, Gachon University of College of Medicine) ;
  • Jo, Eun-Kyung (Department of Preventive Medicine, Gachon University of College of Medicine) ;
  • Choi, Yoon-Hyeong (Department of Preventive Medicine, Gachon University of College of Medicine) ;
  • Cho, Mansu (Department of Occupational Health, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Yang, Wonho (Department of Occupational Health, Daegu Catholic University)
  • 김은채 (대구가톨릭대학교 산업보건학과) ;
  • 류현수 (대구가톨릭대학교 산업보건학과) ;
  • 박진현 (대구가톨릭대학교 산업보건학과) ;
  • 최영태 (대구가톨릭대학교 산업보건학과) ;
  • 허정 (대구가톨릭대학교 산업보건학과) ;
  • 이슬아 (가천대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 조은경 (가천대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 최윤형 (가천대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 조만수 (대구가톨릭대학교 산업보건학과) ;
  • 양원호 (대구가톨릭대학교 산업보건학과)
  • Received : 2020.05.28
  • Accepted : 2020.06.17
  • Published : 2020.06.30
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Abstract

Objectives: The Korean Ministry of Environment has identified cases of people suspected of suffering lung disease potentially caused by polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) used in humidifier disinfectants (HDs). Exposure assessment for the HDs was conducted using a questionnaire during face-to-face interview. The main purposes of this study were to develop a methodology to effectively classify levels of exposure to HDs based on a questionnaire. Methods: We first identified the overall participants' exposure characteristics by HD exposure levels; Second, we selected misclassified subjects and investigated characteristics of overestimated and underestimated subjects, focusing on exposure cases to PHMG-containing HDs. An inhalation reference concentration (RfC) for PHMG was produced on the basis of inhalation toxicity values. We made a cross-tabulation of the exposure classes (Exposure classes 1-to-4) by clinical classes based on the RfC. When the value of the exposure class minus the clinical class was 0 or 1, we assumed these were true values. When the value was ≥2 and ≤ -2, we assigned these cases to the overestimation group and underestimation group, respectively. Results: The overestimated group may have already recovered and responded excessively due to psychological anxiety or in order to receive compensation. On the other hand, relatively high mortality rates and surrogate responses for those under 10 years of age may have resulted in inaccurate exposure assessment for underestimated groups. For the characteristics of exposure, it was shown that for the underestimated group, the exposure was relatively weaker than the overestimated group, even though a high overall clinical rating was determined. Conclusions: This study may suggest ways to reduce bias and overcome the limitations of current HD exposure assessment.

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References

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