title: Epidemiologic research on lung damage caused by humidifier disinfectants.
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 This information led the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Korea issued an order that humidifier detergents should be withdrawn from the market.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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.|Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Moo-Song
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.|Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hwa Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000506:poisoning*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D006801:Humans; D000068998:Humidifiers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055370:Lung Injury / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D063128:Tertiary Health Care
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants
keywords: Case-control studies; Disease outbreaks; Disinfectants; Humidifiers; Lung disease; Republic of Korea