Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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An Estimation of Population at Risk of Exposure to Humidifier Disinfectant and Associated Health Effects

가습기 살균제 노출 실태와 피해규모 추산

  • Byeon, Jieun (Department of Public Health Science, Graduate School of Korea University) ;
  • Kim, Hee-sung (Southernpost) ;
  • Park, Moon-young (Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
  • Lee, Kyoung-mu (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University) ;
  • Hong, Mueng-Gun (Special Investigation Commission on Humidifier Disinfectants & 4.16 Sewol Ferry Disasters) ;
  • Choi, Ye-yong (Special Investigation Commission on Humidifier Disinfectants & 4.16 Sewol Ferry Disasters)
  • 변지은 (고려대학교 일반대학원 보건과학과) ;
  • 김희성 (서던포스트) ;
  • 박문영 (서울대학교 보건대학원 환경보건학과) ;
  • 이경무 (한국방송통신대학교 환경보건학과) ;
  • 홍명근 (가습기살균제사건과 4.16세월호참사 특별조사위원회) ;
  • 최예용 (가습기살균제사건과 4.16세월호참사 특별조사위원회)
  • Received : 2020.08.10
  • Accepted : 2020.08.18
  • Published : 2020.08.31
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Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to estimate the precise nationwide number of those who used humidifier disinfectants (HDs) and experienced specific health effects, including death, due to exposure to HDs in Korea between 1994 and 2011. Methods: A total of 5,000 households (15,472 people) were surveyed by stratifying the sample with a design that is equivalent to nationally approved household systematic sampling and face-to-face interviews from October 16, 2019 to December 30, 2019. Results: The proportion of use of humidifier disinfectants at home was 18.4% (2,844/15,472 people) and the proportion of those who experienced health effects among those who were exposed to HDs was 10.7% (303/2,844 people). Based on these factors, it was estimated that 8.94 million people (95% CI=8.25-9.63 million) were exposed to HDs and 0.95 million people (95% CI=0.87-1.02 million) experienced health effects, which means almost one in five and one in fifty Koreans respectively. The estimated number of deaths from HDs were 20,366 people (95% CI=18,801-21,931). Conclusion: The survey was large and analyzed a representative sample across the country, so this estimation of the nationwide population exposed and at risk to HDs is more accurate and reliable than previous studies. However, it is necessary to confirm whether results similar to those of this study can be reproduced through a survey using a cross-sectional survey at the national level. In particular, a survey focused on death cases is needed.

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