Citation

Yoo S, Sim ME, Choi J, Jeon K, Shin J, Chung S, Hong SB, Lee SY, Hong SJ. J. Korean Med. Sci. 2019; 34(4): e29.

Affiliation

Department of Pediatrics, Childhood Asthma Atopy Center, Environmental Health Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Korean Academy of Medical Science)

DOI

10.3346/jkms.2019.34.e29

PMID

30686951

PMCID

PMC6345639

Abstract

To substantiate psychological symptoms following humidifier disinfectant (HD) disasters, counseling records of 26 victims and 92 family members of victims (45 were bereaved) were analyzed retrospectively. Among the victims, 34.6% had Clinical Global Impression-Severity scores of over 4, which meant they were moderately ill. While anxiety/fear and depression with respiratory symptoms were frequently observed in victims and family members, chronic psychological distress such as alcohol/smoking abuse and insomnia was relatively high in bereaved family members. In conclusion, it is important to provide mental health support for victims and their families, focusing on the characteristic symptoms of each group as well as monetary compensation.

Language: en

Keywords

Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster; Humidifier Disinfectant-associated Lung Injury; Psychological Response; Toxic Chemical Substances; Victims and Families