Polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) is a high molecular guanidine compound with a broad spectrum of antibacterial effects. Since the outbreak of the 'humidifier disinfectant-induced lung injury' event in South Korea, the respiratory toxicity of PHMG had become a public concern. An epidemiological survey in Korea found that PHMG-containing disinfectants were an important risk factor for pulmonary fibrosis. Animal experiments also showed that the exposure to PHMG through the respiratory tract could cause irreversible fibrosis in the lungs. TGF-β signaling pathway, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and pulmonary inflammation might be the main pathways that could mediate PHMG-induced pulmonary fibrosis. This article provided an overview of the characteristics of population exposure to PHMG and research progress in the field of respiratory toxicology and recommendations for the rational and standard of using PHMG-related products in China.
聚六亚甲基胍（polyhexamethylene guanidine, PHMG）是一种具有广谱抗菌作用的高分子胍类化合物。自从韩国"加湿器消毒剂中毒事件"后，其呼吸毒性开始受到关注。韩国流行病学调查发现，家居中含有PHMG的消毒剂是引起肺纤维化的重要危险因素。动物实验研究结果显示，通过呼吸道暴露PHMG后会引起肺部发生不可逆的纤维化改变。TGF-β信号通路、上皮-间充质转化以及肺部炎症反应可能是介导PHMG引起肺纤维化的主要途径。本文概览综述了PHMG人群暴露特征及引起呼吸毒理学的研究进展，并结合我国实际使用情况，提出使用建议和警示，为合理规范使用PHMG相关产品提供建议。.
Keywords: Disinfectant; Lung; Polyhexamethyleneguanide; Pulmonary fibrosis; Toxic actions.