Humidifier Disinfectant Ingredient "Adversely Affects Pregnant Women and Fetal Development"

On the 31st, the Citizens' Center for Environmental Health and families affected by the humidifier disinfectant disaster held a press conference on the 9th anniversary of the humidifier disinfectant tragedy at Gwanghwamun Square, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] A study has found that the components of humidifier disinfectants delay fetal development in pregnant women. The Safety Evaluation Research Institute announced on the 2nd that they exposed pregnant white rats to PHMG-P (polyhexamethylene guanidine-P series), one of the components of humidifier disinfectants, and observed the results.

The institute's reproductive toxicity research group exposed pregnant animals to PHMG-P by inhalation for 6 hours daily from day 6 to day 20 of pregnancy at four different exposure concentrations, including a control group. They then observed the effects on the pregnant animals and the fetuses developing in the uterus.

As a result, systemic toxicological effects (maternal toxicity), including respiratory toxicity, were observed in the pregnant animals. Maternal toxicity means that the body weight of pregnant animals decreased by about 10-20% compared to the control group in embryofetal developmental toxicity tests. For example, if the control group’s body weight increased by 100g from the start of substance administration to autopsy, and the treated group’s body weight increased by about 80-90g, maternal toxicity can be considered present.

Fetuses also showed symptoms of developmental delay such as weight loss. This was analyzed to be a secondary effect caused by the severe systemic toxicological effects on the pregnant animals, rather than PHMG-P directly affecting the fetuses through exposure.

The institute stated, "This study is significant in that it observed the effects of exposure to PHMG-P, a component of humidifier disinfectants, by linking inhalation toxicity tests and reproductive toxicity tests."

Meanwhile, the results of this study were recently published in the international journal in the field of environmental science, Journal of Hazardous Materials.

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