Chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT)과 Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)의 건강영향에 대한 고찰 - 가습기 살균제 폐 손상을 중심으로 -

Review of Health Effects Caused by Chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT) and Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) - Focusing on Humidifier Disinfectant-associated Lung Injury (HDLI) -

Objective: This study aimed to summarize the physiochemical properties, toxicity, and legal regulation ofchloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT) and/or methylisothiazolinone (MIT), review the health effects caused by exposure to CMIT/MIT, and evaluate the individual association of lung injury with the use of humidifier disinfectants (HD) containing a mixture of CMIT and MIT. Method: A literature review was conducted by searching keywords such as CMIT, MIT, health effect, dermatitis, asthma, and lung injury, either singly or combined. Results: Both CMIT and/or MIT were found to be associated with the development of several types of adverse health effects. In particular, respiratory diseases including asthma, nasal symptoms, cough, and rhinitis were caused by the use of products including CMIT or/and MIT. The mixture of CMIT/MIT has been banned in cosmetics. As of the end of 2017, nine patients who were confirmed to have HD associated lung injury (HDLI) were found to have used only an HD brand containing CMIT and MIT. Their responses regarding the name of the HD used could be trustworthy based on the short duration of HD use (less than six months) before the onset of HDLI and frequent use of HD per day. Conclusion: According to the toxicity and HDLI cases, the use of HD containing CMIT and /or MIT can cause fatal lung injury. Further study with manufacturers’ assistance is necessary in order to obtain more clear evidence on the causal relationship since HDLI cases are being reported continuously.