Fidler A H
Offentl Gesundheitswes. 1989 Dec;51(12):764-9.
Indoor air pollution has become an issue of growing importance for the scientific community. A recent publication of a report of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showed evidence that portable ultrasonic humidifiers may play a significant role as health hazards as far as indoor air pollution with heavy metal particles is concerned. Especially if the manufacturers' guidelines are not followed strictly and the device is operated with tap water, indoor particle concentrations may reach up to 50 times US outdoor standards for toxic particle concentration. This paper highlights potential risks and benefits of various types of humidifiers, both in private and hospital settings, emphasizing that risks of air humidification in certain situations might outweigh anticipated benefits. The health policy implication of these findings should lead to a more critical application of air humidification in the health care environment and in addition to that, promote better information of the customer about safe operation and useful indications of such devices.
室内空气污染已成为科学界日益重视的问题。美国环境保护局（EPA）最近发布的一份报告显示，就室内重金属颗粒污染而言，便携式超声波加湿器可能是一个重大健康隐患。特别是如果不严格遵循制造商的指导方针，且使用自来水运行该设备，室内颗粒浓度可能高达美国室外有毒颗粒浓度标准的50倍。本文强调了各类加湿器在家庭和医院环境中的潜在风险与益处，指出在某些情况下空气加湿的风险可能超过预期益处。这些研究结果对健康政策的影响应促使在医疗环境中更审慎地应用空气加湿，此外，还应促使向消费者更好地宣传此类设备的安全操作及适用指征。
