Contaminated Thai herbal inhalers may cause lung infection

Herbal inhalers contaminated with microbes such as bacteria, yeast or mould may irritate a user’s nose and throat. Vulnerable users may also be at risk of lung infection, said health experts.

- Joyce Teo Senior Health Correspondent

Their comments follow the recall of a batch of Hong Thai Herbal Inhaler Formula 2 on Oct 29, after the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected unsafe levels of microbial contamination during a routine inspection.

Vulnerable groups include the elderly, children and people with preexisting lung disease or a weakened immune system.

For these individuals, introducing pathogenic organisms into the airway may lead to a lung infection, said Adjunct Associate Professor See Kay Choong, a senior consultant in the Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at the National University Hospital.

Dr Golda Wang, a senior principal clinical pharmacist at Alexandra Hospital, concurred that those who use therapeutic products such as inhalers that exceed safe microbial limits have a higher risk of developing acute and chronic health hazards, including lung infections and allergic responses.

Dr Alvin Ng Choon Yong, a respiratory and intensive care medicine specialist at The Respiratory Practice, said: “Often for such products, if you choose to use them, then you have to trust the product company’s indications.

“If the product contains bacterial and mould contamination, then there is a risk of developing pneumonia from the inhaled source, as pneumonia is an infection of the lung via aerosolised bacteria and viruses.”

Herbal inhalers, also known as ya-dom, are widely used in Thailand to clear nasal passages, relieve dizziness, calm the mind and stay alert during long drives or while studying.