Epidemiol Health.  2016;38:e2016031. 10.4178/epih.e2016031.

Epidemiologic research on lung damage caused by humidifier disinfectants

• Lee MS
• Kim HJ

• KMID: 2380725
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2016031

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 This information led the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Korea issued an order that humidifier detergents should be withdrawn from the market.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.

Keyword

Humidifiers; Disinfectants; Lung disease; Republic of Korea; Case-control studies; Disease outbreaks

MeSH Terms

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
Detergents
Disinfectants