Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Analysis of Exposure Characteristics and Exposure Rating of Participants with Injuries from CMIT/MIT Humidifier Disinfectants

CMIT/MIT 가습기살균제 사용에 따른 피해구제 신청자의 노출등급 및 노출특성 분석

  • Gihong Min (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Junghyun Shin (Korea Society of Environment Health) ;
  • Eun-Kyung Jo (Korea Society of Environment Health) ;
  • Seula Lee (Korea Society of Environment Health) ;
  • Jihun Shin (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Dongjun Kim (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Jaemin Woo (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Yoon-Hyeong Choi (School of Health and Environmental Science, Korea University) ;
  • Wonho Yang (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University)
  • 민기홍 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 신정현 (한국환경보건학회) ;
  • 조은경 (한국환경보건학회) ;
  • 이슬아 (한국환경보건학회) ;
  • 신지훈 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 김동준 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 우재민 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 최윤형 (고려대학교 보건환경융합과학부) ;
  • 양원호 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과)
  • Received : 2023.06.13
  • Accepted : 2023.06.27
  • Published : 2023.06.30
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Abstract

Background: The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) has identified cases of people suspected of suffering lung disease potentially caused by chloromethylisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (CMIT/MIT) used in humidifier disinfectants (HDs). The Korean Ministry of Environment (MoE) epidemiological investigation and toxicity test study found that HDs caused health damage such as asthma and lung disease. Objectives: The main purposes of this study were to classify the HD exposure rating and to analyze the exposure characteristics that affect exposure to CMIT/MIT HDs. Methods: The exposure characteristics and socio-demographic characteristics of victim participants using CMIT/MIT HDs were investigated through questionnaires. An inhalation no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for CMIT/MIT was produced based on inhalation toxicity values. Exposure ratings (class 1~class 2) were cross-tabulated with clinical ratings (acceptable~unacceptable). A correlation analysis was conducted with the main exposure characteristics that affect the exposure concentration of CMIT/MIT HDs. Results: The concentration in indoor air of CMIT/MIT was 8.75±25.40 ㎍/m3, and the exposure concentration was 2.30±6.29 ㎍/m3. The CMIT/MIT exposure rating of 67 participants with high exposures of not more than MOE 100 were evaluated as 14.5%, while the damage participants who matched the clinical rating made up 4.5%. The exposure concentration of CMIT/MIT showed a positive correlation with the daily usage amount and usage frequency, and a negative correlation with volume of the indoor environment. Conclusions: A new exposure rating could be suggested and calculated based on the MOE, and the factors affecting the exposure concentration could be identified.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

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

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