Epidemiologic research on lung damage caused by humidifier disinfectants.
- Author:
Moo Song LEE
1
;
Hwa Jung KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Humidifiers; Disinfectants; Lung disease; Republic of Korea; Case-control studies; Disease outbreaks
- MeSH: Case-Control Studies; Detergents; Disease Outbreaks; Disinfectants*; Epidemiologic Studies; Humans; Humidifiers*; Korea; Lung Diseases; Lung*; Republic of Korea; Risk Factors; Seoul; Tertiary Care Centers; Young Adult
- From:Epidemiology and Health 2016;38(1):e2016031-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: In April 2011 a tertiary hospital located in Seoul, Korea reported several cases of severe respiratory distress of unknown origin in young adults. To find the route of transmission, causative agent and patient risk factors of the outbreak, an investigation of the epidemic was initiated. A hospital based case-control study was conducted to indicate that humidifier detergent use was the cause of the outbreak. This information led the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Korea issued an order that humidifier detergents should be withdrawn from the market. Here, we describe the major events of planning, execution, and interpretation of the study, and discussions between researchers and public authorities following the decision to perform an epidemiologic study, chronologically.
