Respiratory Exposure to Disinfectants and Sterilizers May Cause Lung Disease

Research Results from Kyung Hee University East-West Medical Research Institute

On the 17th, as COVID-19 spreads in the metropolitan area including a confirmed case at Dongdaemun Fashion Town's 'Tongil Sangga,' disinfection workers from a sanitation company are conducting disinfection work at Tongil Sangga in Dongdaemun, Seoul. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] A study has revealed that respiratory exposure to commonly used sterilizers and disinfectants to prevent the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) may cause lung diseases.

Professor Eunjeong Park of Kyung Hee University East-West Medical Research Institute recently published research results titled "Formation of lamellar structures may be the initiator of toxic responses caused by didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC)" in the SCI-level journal Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, she announced on the 24th.

Possibility of Lung Disease Caused by Respiratory Exposure to DDAC Contained in Sterilizers and Disinfectants

Lamellar structure formed in human bronchial epithelial cells

DDAC is one of the components of sterilizers used to block the spread of microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. This substance is also a quaternary ammonium-based sterilizer and disinfectant registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It is commonly used as a preservative, disinfectant, and antibiotic in industrial products such as wood, construction materials, and water tanks, as well as household products like humidifiers and washing machines. DDAC was also a major substance in the humidifier disinfectant that emerged in South Korea in 2006, but there has been no research on its safety until now.

Since 2016, Professor Park has been studying substances related to the humidifier disinfectant incident, and this time, she researched the potential of DDAC to induce lung disease and its toxic mechanisms using human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and laboratory mice.

According to the research results, DDAC sharply reduced cell viability at a concentration of 4μg/mL. It induced damage to intracellular organelles, apoptosis, and cell membrane damage. Mice that were directly administered 500μg of DDAC once through the bronchus survived normally for up to 14 days after administration, but those administered twice showed significant chronic fibrotic lung lesions and eventually died. Fibrotic lung lesions are commonly known as a disease where the lungs become hardened.

Additionally, Professor Park's research team found that lamellar bodies were formed in cells and mice exposed to DDAC, and the structure changed distinctly in ion-containing solutions. Lamellar structures refer to membranes made of stacked lipid bilayers. This structure is the most stable among phospholipids when containing a small amount of water. This indicates that DDAC accumulates in the body without being eliminated. Repeated inhalation of DDAC through the respiratory tract can accumulate in the lungs and cause lung diseases.

How to Use Sterilizers and Disinfectants Safely

Electron microscope image of DDAC dispersed in deionized water

Professor Park said she deliberated extensively before announcing these research results. The study was planned as a continuation of research on humidifier disinfectants. However, the results came out at a time when the use of sterilizers and disinfectants was explosively increasing due to the spread of COVID-19.

Professor Park stated, "The product launch speed is too fast, and it was questionable whether safety evaluations matching various exposure scenarios that consumers might experience during the product approval process were conducted." She added, "Since infection prevention, treatment, and vaccine development are priorities, and considering the transmission speed of COVID-19, it seemed better to wait for an appropriate time rather than cause social confusion by presenting the risks of sterilizers and disinfectants." She emphasized, "We must not forget the lessons learned from the 'humidifier disinfectant incident'."

To use various disinfectants and sterilizers safely, Professor Park explained, "▲Do not spray sterilizers and disinfectants into the air ▲Avoid using them in enclosed spaces and always use them in well-ventilated areas ▲Frequently wash hands and the areas around the mouth and nose with water, and when washing with water is not possible, use hand sanitizer. However, never touch the mouth, nose, or eyes ▲Do not mix sterilizers and disinfectants."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.