Min Gihong, Shin Jihun, Kim Dongjun, Choe Youngtae, Woo Jaemin, Choi Kil Yong, Lee Jangwoo, Cho Mansu, Lee Jongdae, Ra Jin-Sung, Yang Wonho
Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University, Gyeongbuk, South Korea.
Department of Environmental Energy Engineering, Anyang University, Anyang, South Korea.
Heliyon. 2024 Mar 20;10(7):e28249. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28249. eCollection 2024 Apr 15.
The importance of disinfection has recently been emphasized due to the increasing risk of the spread of infections such as coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). In addition, disinfection for preventing the spread of COVID-19 is highly recommended. The increased use of biocidal products raises concerns regarding the potential health risks from exposure among disinfection workers. This study aimed to assess these exposure and health risks using questionnaires targeting disinfection workers who were exposed to the active substances in biocidal products used for disinfection during the COVID-19 pandemic. A follow-up survey was conducted among 271 disinfection workers for 10 working days within two weeks, and exposure factors with reference to disinfection were evaluated through interview-administered questionnaires. An exposure algorithm was used to evaluate the exposure of disinfection workers during disinfection. The hazard index (HI) was calculated by dividing the inhalation concentration obtained using the exposure algorithm and the dermal dose according to occupational exposure limits (OEL). A sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify the exposure factors with the greatest impact on the inhalation and dermal exposure algorithms. A logistic regression analysis was performed to verify the relationship with health effects and sociodemographic and exposure characteristics. The average number of disinfections performed during 10 working days was 17.5 ± 12.3 times. The type of disinfection work was divided into 2806 cases of COVID-19 prevention and disinfection and 1956 cases of regular pesticide application to prevent and remove any pests. The HI was ≥1, indicating a potential health risk, with the use of ethanol (6.50E+00), quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs; 1.49E+01), and benzalkonium chloride (BKC; 1.73E+00). Dermal exposure was more hazardous than inhalation exposure for 6 of the 11 active substances in biocidal products. The weight fraction and exposure time were the factors that most significantly influenced the inhalation and dermal exposure algorithms in the sensitivity analysis. Higher exposure concentrations were more likely to affect health (AOR: 3.239, 95% CI: 1.155-9.082). This study provides valuable information regarding the exposure and risk of disinfection workers to 11 biocidal active substances included in common disinfectants. Our results suggest that the use of ethanol, BKC, and QACs has potential health risks to disinfection workers, with a higher possibility of negative health impacts with increasing exposure concentration.
由于新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）等传染病传播风险的增加，消毒的重要性最近得到了强调。此外，强烈建议进行消毒以防止COVID-19的传播。杀生物产品使用的增加引发了人们对消毒工作人员接触这些产品可能产生的健康风险的担忧。本研究旨在通过针对在COVID-19大流行期间接触用于消毒的杀生物产品中活性物质的消毒工作人员的问卷调查，评估这些接触和健康风险。在两周内对271名消毒工作人员进行了为期10个工作日的随访调查，并通过访谈式问卷评估了与消毒相关的接触因素。使用接触算法评估消毒工作人员在消毒过程中的接触情况。通过将使用接触算法获得的吸入浓度与根据职业接触限值（OEL）得出的皮肤剂量相除来计算危害指数（HI）。进行了敏感性分析，以确定对吸入和皮肤接触算法影响最大的接触因素。进行了逻辑回归分析，以验证与健康影响以及社会人口统计学和接触特征之间的关系。在10个工作日内进行的消毒平均次数为17.5±12.3次。消毒工作类型分为预防COVID-19消毒2806例和常规使用杀虫剂预防和清除害虫1956例。使用乙醇（6.50E+00）、季铵化合物（QACs；1.49E+01）和苯扎氯铵（BKC；1.73E+00）时，HI≥1，表明存在潜在健康风险。对于杀生物产品中的11种活性物质中的6种，皮肤接触比吸入接触更具危害性。在敏感性分析中，重量分数和接触时间是对吸入和皮肤接触算法影响最显著的因素。接触浓度越高，对健康的影响可能性越大（比值比：3.239，95%置信区间：1.155-9.082）。本研究提供了关于消毒工作人员接触常见消毒剂中所含11种杀生物活性物质及其风险的宝贵信息。我们的结果表明，使用乙醇、BKC和QACs对消毒工作人员有潜在健康风险，随着接触浓度的增加，对健康产生负面影响的可能性更高。
