Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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A Scientific Critique of a Korean Court's Acquittal for Involuntary Manslaughter Related to 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one/2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one (CMIT/MIT), a Humidifier Disinfectant (HD) Part II: Animal experiments, criteria for HD lung injury, and causality on individual levels

CMIT/MIT 함유 가습기 살균제 제품의 제조 및 판매기업 형사판결 1심 재판 판결문에 대한 과학적 고찰 (II) - 동물실험, 폐 손상 판정기준, 개인 인과

  • Park, Dong-Uk (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University) ;
  • Zoh, Kyung Ehi (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
  • Kim, Jiwon (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University) ;
  • Choi, Sangjun (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Lee, So-yeon (Department of Pediatrics, Humidifier Disinfectant Health Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Jun, Hyoungbae (Law School, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Park, Taehyun (Law School, Kangwon National University)
  • 박동욱 (한국방송통신대학교 보건환경학과) ;
  • 조경이 (서울대학교 보건대학원 환경보건학과) ;
  • 김지원 (한국방송통신대학교 보건환경학과) ;
  • 최상준 (가톨릭대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 이소연 (울산대학교 의과대학, 서울아산병원 소아청소년과, 가습기살균제보건센터) ;
  • 전형배 (강원대학교 법학전문대학원) ;
  • 박태현 (강원대학교 법학전문대학원)
  • Received : 2021.05.07
  • Accepted : 2021.06.20
  • Published : 2021.06.30
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Abstract

Objectives: In January 2021, the former heads of the manufacturer SK Chemical and the vendor Aekyung were acquitted for manufacturing and selling humidifier disinfectant (HD) containing 5-chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one/2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one (CMIT/MIT). In this article, we analyzed the rationale used in this judgement in the light of scientific consideration. Methods: The sentencing document for the judgements was obtained from the Korea Supreme Court Service. In particular, the judgements made by the court related to the toxicological and individual association with HD perspectives were discussed based on scientific evidence. Results: The ruling stated that the necessary conditions for causality between CMIT/MIT and such diseases were not met based on the fact that asthma and lung damage were not found in the inhalation exposure animal experiments. The judgment overlooked the inevitable limitations of using animal experiments for verifying health effects in humans, which are often inconsistent with the observations in animals. Among 11 governmentaffirmed lung injury cases with CMIT/MIT usage, three patients' humidifier disinfectant-associated lung injury (HDLI) pathology proved that CMIT/MIT could cause lung injury similar to that caused by PHMG and PGH. In addition, five children showed decreased lung function related to damage caused by humidifier disinfectant exposure. Conclusions: We conclude that there is sufficient evidence supporting the assertion that HDs containing CMIT/MIT cause lung injuries, including asthma, contrary to the court's decision.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

이 논문은 2019년도 한국방송통신대학교의 지원을 받아 수행된 연구임.

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