The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the use of certain household products (HPs) at home and atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults. The study was conducted on 1,500 households in Seoul, South Korea. We obtained information on general characteristics, the use of HPs, and AD through an online panel survey in July 2018. HPs were selected as 23 kinds of products with associated risks that are management targets of the Ministry of Environment. The international study of asthma and allergies in childhood was used for the AD questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify AD affected by the use of HPs. Average number of used HPs was 13.44 out of 23, and average usage frequency of HPs was 3.52 times a month at home in Seoul for the last 1 year. Compared with subjects with a low number of HPs used (reference), subjects with a high number of used HPs (4th quartile) were more likely to have lifetime diagnosis of AD (odds ratio (OR) = 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.23-2.54), symptoms of AD in the last 12 months (OR = 2.66, 95% CI; 1.92-3.70), and treatment of AD in the last 12 months (OR = 2.37, 95% CI; 1.48-3.80). Compared with subjects with a low HPs usage frequency (reference), subjects with a high HPs usage frequency (4th quartile) were more likely to have lifetime diagnosis of AD (OR = 1.88, 95% CI; 1.31-2.70), symptoms of AD in the last 12 months (OR = 2.14, 95% CI; 1.54-2.96), and treatment of AD in the last 12 months (OR = 2.23, 95% CI; 1.39-3.60). Therefore, the use of HPs was significantly associated with AD. The findings of this study might be useful as basic data for managing allergic diseases and establishing preventive measures.
Adult ; Asthma ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Diagnosis ; Family Characteristics ; Household Products ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Seoul

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the use of certain household products (HPs) at home and atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults. The study was conducted on 1,500 households in Seoul, South Korea. We obtained information on general characteristics, the use of HPs, and AD through an online panel survey in July 2018. HPs were selected as 23 kinds of products with associated risks that are management targets of the Ministry of Environment. The international study of asthma and allergies in childhood was used for the AD questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify AD affected by the use of HPs. Average number of used HPs was 13.44 out of 23, and average usage frequency of HPs was 3.52 times a month at home in Seoul for the last 1 year. Compared with subjects with a low number of HPs used (reference), subjects with a high number of used HPs (4th quartile) were more likely to have lifetime diagnosis of AD (odds ratio (OR) = 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.23-2.54), symptoms of AD in the last 12 months (OR = 2.66, 95% CI; 1.92-3.70), and treatment of AD in the last 12 months (OR = 2.37, 95% CI; 1.48-3.80). Compared with subjects with a low HPs usage frequency (reference), subjects with a high HPs usage frequency (4th quartile) were more likely to have lifetime diagnosis of AD (OR = 1.88, 95% CI; 1.31-2.70), symptoms of AD in the last 12 months (OR = 2.14, 95% CI; 1.54-2.96), and treatment of AD in the last 12 months (OR = 2.23, 95% CI; 1.39-3.60). Therefore, the use of HPs was significantly associated with AD. The findings of this study might be useful as basic data for managing allergic diseases and establishing preventive measures.
Adult ; Asthma ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Diagnosis ; Family Characteristics ; Household Products ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Seoul

PURPOSE: To investigate the age group characteristics of children who visited the emergency department with acute poisoning by ingestion. METHODS: We reviewed children under 19 years who visited the emergency department for acute poisoning by ingestion from 2012 to 2017. The children were divided into 3 age groups; infants (0-1 years), preschoolers (2-5 years), and schoolers (6-18 years). Clinical characteristics, intentional ingestion, involved substances (drugs, household products, artificial substances, and pesticides), decontamination and antidote therapy, and outcomes of the 3 age groups were compared. We also performed multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with hospitalization. RESULTS: A total of 622 children with acute poisoning by ingestion were analyzed. Their annual proportions to overall pediatric emergency patients ranged from 0.3% to 0.4%. Age distribution showed bimodal peaks at 0-2 years and 15-17 years. The infants showed lower frequency of girls, intentional ingestion, ingestion of drugs, performance of decontamination and antidote therapy, and hospitalization than 2 older groups (P < 0.001). Most decontamination, antidote therapy, and hospitalization occurred in the schoolers (P < 0.001). The most frequently reported substances were household cleaning substances in the infants (18.2%), antihistamines in the preschoolers (15.8%), and analgesics in the schoolers (37.5%). The factors associated with hospitalization were intentional ingestion (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 7.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.85-17.61; P = 0.001) and schoolers (aOR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.10-7.53; P = 0.031; compared with infants). Only 1 in-hospital mortality was found in a boy aged 2 years who ingested methomyl. CONCLUSION: Infants may experience non-intentional ingestion, ingestion of non-pharmacologic substances (especially household cleaning substances), discharge without decontamination and antidote therapy more frequently than older children. Thus, we need age group-specific, preventive and therapeutic plans for children with acute poisoning.
Adolescent ; Age Distribution ; Analgesics ; Child ; Decontamination ; Eating ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Epidemiology ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Histamine Antagonists ; Hospital Mortality ; Hospitalization ; Household Products ; Humans ; Infant ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Methomyl ; Odds Ratio ; Poisoning

Triclosan is an antimicrobial or sanitizing agent used in personal care and household products such as toothpaste, soaps, mouthwashes and kitchen utensils. There are increasing evidence of the potentially harmful effects of triclosan in many systemic and cellular processes of the body. In this study, we investigated the effects of triclosan in the survivability of cultured rat neural stem cells (NSCs). Cortical cells from embryonic day 14 rat embryos were isolated and cultured in vitro. After stabilizing the culture, triclosan was introduced to the cells with concentrations ranging from 1 muM to 50 muM and in varied time periods. Thereafter, cell viability parameters were measured using MTT assay and PI staining. TCS decreased the cell viability of treated NSC in a concentration-dependent manner along with increased expressions of apoptotic markers, cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, while reduced expression of Bcl2. To explore the mechanisms underlying the effects of TCS in NSC, we measured the activation of MAPKs and intracellular ROS. TCS at 50 muM induced the activations of both p38 and JNK, which may adversely affect cell survival. In contrast, the activities of ERK, Akt and PI3K, which are positively correlated with cell survival, were inhibited. Moreover, TCS at this concentration augmented the ROS generation in treated NSC and depleted the glutathione activity. Taken together, these results suggest that TCS can induce neurodegenerative effects in developing rat brains through mechanisms involving ROS activation and apoptosis initiation.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Brain ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Survival ; Embryonic Structures ; Glutathione ; Household Products ; Humans ; Mouthwashes ; Neural Stem Cells* ; Rats ; Soaps ; Toothpastes ; Triclosan*

The humidifier disinfectant disaster (HDD) was not a simple poisoning accident by biocides, but a singular disaster in history created by chemicals in household products. This disaster was a result of the failure of a system for the management of chemical and product safety. Since the management authority for chemical usage safety is different from those for chemical safety in products, many blind areas for chemical safety management in products still remain. The ‘Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances (ARECS)’ or the new ‘Biocidal Product Act’ must not only address the blind areas in the management system for chemical and product safety, but also prevent a second HDD. To prevent another HDD, an integrated registration, evaluation, and management system for chemicals and consumer products must be incorporated into the ‘ARECS’ as an essential part for chemical safety in consumer products.
Chemical Safety ; Disasters* ; Disinfectants ; Household Products ; Humidifiers* ; Poisoning

OBJECTIVE: The availability of suicide methods affects the risk of suicide attempts. This study examined the patterns of substances ingested by suicide attempters (SAs) and the characteristics of SAs using psychotropic overdoses. METHODS: Data for 384 of the 462 eligible SAs who used self-poisoning were analyzed. Demographic variables, clinical characteristics, and factors related to the suicide attempts were examined. RESULTS: There were 256 (66.7%) females and 128 (33.3%) males. Roughly half the SAs ingested psychotropics (n=179, 46.6%). Agricultural chemicals (n=84, 21.9%) were the second most frequently ingested substances, followed by analgesics (n=62, 16.1%), household products (n=27, 7.0%), and other prescribed medications (n=23, 6.0%). Among psychotropics, the most frequently overdosed drugs were sedative-hypnotics, including hypnotics (n=104) and benzodiazepines (n=78). SAs favored Z-drugs and alprazolam. When compared with SAs with non-psychotropic overdoses, significantly more SAs with psychotropic overdoses were female (76% vs. 58.5%, p<0.001) and had a psychiatric history (59.8% vs. 29.8%, p<0.001). They had significantly more previous suicide attempts (0.52+/-1.02 vs. 0.32+/-0.80, p<0.05) and lower risk (7.96+/-1.49 vs. 8.44+/-1.99, p<0.01) and medical severity (3.06+/-0.81 vs. 3.37+/-0.93, p<0.005) scores. CONCLUSION: Psychotropic overdose, especially with sedative-hypnotics, was a major method in suicide attempts. It is important that psychiatric patients are carefully evaluated and monitored for suicidality when prescribing psychotropics.
Agrochemicals ; Alprazolam ; Analgesics ; Benzodiazepines ; Drug Overdose ; Female ; Household Products ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Korea* ; Male ; Prevalence* ; Psychotropic Drugs ; Suicide* ; Suicide, Attempted

OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial chemicals are used in a variety of household and personal care products. Exposure to antimicrobial household products has been hypothesized to lead to allergic diseases in children. METHODS: We investigated antimicrobial household product exposure and allergic symptoms in Korean children. An antimicrobial exposure (AE) score was derived. To examine the symptoms of allergic diseases (current wheeze, current rhinitis, and current eczema) in the past 12 months, we used a questionnaire based on the core module of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children. Complete data for the analysis were available for 25,805 of the 35,590 (72.5%) children. RESULTS: The prevalence of current allergic diseases was as follows: wheeze, 5.6%; allergic rhinitis, 32.6%; and eczema, 17.7%. The mean (standard deviation) AE score was 14.3 (9.3) (range: 0-40). Compared with subjects with a low AE score (reference), subjects with a high AE score (fourth quartile) were more likely to have symptoms of wheezing and allergic rhinitis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] for wheezing 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.45, p for trend=0.24; aOR for allergic rhinitis 1.30, 95% CI, 1.20-1.40, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that frequent use of antimicrobial household products was associated with current wheeze and current allergic rhinitis.
Asthma ; Child ; Eczema ; Family Characteristics ; Household Products* ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Respiratory Sounds ; Rhinitis ; Triclosan ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to find differences in the demographics of toxic exposed patients and substance between call based poison information data and hospital based poison information data. METHODS: Seoul 1339 call-response data were used as call based poison data and toxic related injury surveillance data of the Korean center for disease control and prevention (KCDC) were used as hospital based poison data. Age, sex, the kind of exposed substance, reasons for exposure, and exposure routes were compared between two data sets. We analyzed the presence or not of documentation on the name and amount of exposed substance, symptoms after exposure in call based poison data. RESULTS: Seoul1339 poison data included a total of 2260 information related to toxic exposure and KCDC poison data included 5650 poison cases. There was no difference in sexual distribution. Pediatric exposure and accidental exposure were more common in call based poison data. The most common exposed substances were household products in call based poison data and medicines in hospital based poison data, respectively. Documents regarding amount and time of toxic exposure and symptoms after toxic exposure were not recorded exactly in call based poison data. CONCLUSION: There were significant differences in age, reasons for toxic exposure, and the kinds of exposed substances. Poison information data from both pre-hospital and hospital must be considered.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Dataset ; Demography ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Hazardous Substances ; Household Products ; Humans ; Poisoning ; Seoul ; Telephone*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to find differences in the demographics of toxic exposed patients and substance between call based poison information data and hospital based poison information data. METHODS: Seoul 1339 call-response data were used as call based poison data and toxic related injury surveillance data of the Korean center for disease control and prevention (KCDC) were used as hospital based poison data. Age, sex, the kind of exposed substance, reasons for exposure, and exposure routes were compared between two data sets. We analyzed the presence or not of documentation on the name and amount of exposed substance, symptoms after exposure in call based poison data. RESULTS: Seoul1339 poison data included a total of 2260 information related to toxic exposure and KCDC poison data included 5650 poison cases. There was no difference in sexual distribution. Pediatric exposure and accidental exposure were more common in call based poison data. The most common exposed substances were household products in call based poison data and medicines in hospital based poison data, respectively. Documents regarding amount and time of toxic exposure and symptoms after toxic exposure were not recorded exactly in call based poison data. CONCLUSION: There were significant differences in age, reasons for toxic exposure, and the kinds of exposed substances. Poison information data from both pre-hospital and hospital must be considered.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Dataset ; Demography ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Hazardous Substances ; Household Products ; Humans ; Poisoning ; Seoul ; Telephone*

This study is to prepare promotional strategies of establishment of the Korea Poison Center based on the chemicals and chemical products and the database (DB) construction status of Chemical Accident Emergency Respond Information System (CEIS) and the DB needs survey of the lay person. The methods of CEIS DB construction and hazard classification are; first, the researchers required material safety data sheet from the manufacturer/distributor and verified its composition/information on ingredients. Second, the researchers conducted the hazard classification of the chemical products by the mixtures classification according to the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS, 3rd edition) guidelines based on the verified composition/information on ingredients. The emergency measures information was established by the Emergency Department healthcare professionals. Health hazards are classified by using 13 reference databases, which include European Chemical Substances Information System (IUCLID) and IARC, and 4 reference books like Emergency Management Guides(ERG). As the result of analyzing the DB construction status of chemical products, it showed in the order of, 180 for vehicle products (15.0%), 162 for printing products (14.0%), 129 for paint (11.0%) and 120 for adhesives (10.0%). Currently in 2013, emergency respond information was established for a total of 2,400 chemicals (includes 1200 chemical products). As the result for conducting a needs survey for the establishment of emergency respond information targeting on the general public and professionals, it showed the highest level of demand for the establishment of emergency respond information on 'household products (2.87 points)' for both lay person and experts. As the result of analyzing the Q&A of the lay person until March 2013, through CEIS, it showed the highest inquiry on disinfectant and germicide products with 11 issues (27.5%). World Health Organization recommends to provide emergency consultation and information on poisoning accidents and operate a 24 hour national poison center able to perform the research functions for every nation. However, there is no such national poison center in Korea, and it can be said fundamental reform of the national poison management system and establishment of national poison center is urgent, considering the fact social demand and citizens from recent consecutive chemical poisoning accidents are increasing.
Adhesives ; Chemical Hazard Release ; Delivery of Health Care ; Emergencies ; Hazardous Substances ; Household Products ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Korea ; Paint ; Reference Books ; United Nations ; World Health Organization