Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Individual Exposure Characteristics according to the Humidifier Disinfectant Exposure Assessment Cycle - Focusing on Cycles I-to-V Applicants -

가습기살균제 피해구제 신청자들의 신청 차수별 노출 특성 변화 - 1차에서 5차 신청자를 중심으로 -

  • Seula Lee (Korean Society of Environmental Health) ;
  • Eun-Kyung Jo (Korean Society of Environmental Health) ;
  • Habyeong Kang (Institute of Health Sciences, Korea University) ;
  • Wonho Yang (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Yoon-Hyeong Choi (School of Health and Environmental Science, Korea University)
  • Received : 2023.06.05
  • Accepted : 2023.06.23
  • Published : 2023.06.30
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Abstract

Background: An ongoing environmental exposure assessment of humidifier disinfectants (HDs) has been conducted since November 2011 among individuals who experienced HD exposure-related adverse health effects. It is being performed in order to determine and quantify exposure to humidifier disinfectants in victims and their families. To date, the assessment has encompassed Cycles I-to-V. There is no report summarizing the characteristics of the subjects from the overall cycles. Objectives: We intended to examine the individual characteristics related to demographics, HD usage, and HD exposure using integrated data from Cycles I-to-V of the environmental exposure assessment of HDs and the changes with the cycles. Methods: We included 7,543 individuals who participated in Cycles I-to-V of the environmental exposure assessment of HDs. We summarized the participants' characteristics regarding their demographics (e.g., sex, education level, and age), HD usage history (e.g., product name, ingredient, and frequency of HD use), and HD exposure (e.g., daily time of HD use, cumulative time of HD use, and exposure intensity). In addition, their characteristics were compared across the cycles of the exposure assessment. Results: Among the 7,543 participants from Cycles I-to-V, there were more male participants than females (51.05% overall), except for Cycles I and III. Across all cycles, a higher proportion of survivors was observed than deceased individuals. While PHMG was the most prevalent ingredient in HDs throughout all the cycles, its proportion gradually decreased over the course of the examination cycles. Participants in Cycle I reported longer daily times of HD use compared to those in the subsequent cycles. On the other hand, cumulative time of HD use was shorter in the earlier cycles than in the later cycles. Conclusions: Using the integrated data from the full cycles of the environmental exposure assessment, this study identified changes in demographic characteristics as well as the HD exposure characteristics between the participants across different cycles.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

이 논문은 한국환경산업기술원의 '가습기살균제 피해구제신청자 환경노출조사' 자료를 이용하여 분석하였습니다. 데이터 관리 및 정제에 도움주신 신정현, 정다영, 류지윤 선생님에게 감사의 말을 전합니다.

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