Gyeonggi-do to Investigate Health Status of Radon Bed Victims... First Nationwide

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province is conducting a health status survey of victims to resolve the radon bed incident, which has been at a standstill for two years. It is the first among metropolitan local governments nationwide.

Gyeonggi Province announced that from the 16th of this month until October, it will conduct a basic damage status survey targeting 5,000 consumers nationwide who have experience using radon beds in the first phase. The survey can be participated in by visiting the Gyeonggi Provincial Government website and searching for 'Radon Survey'.

Based on the results of the basic survey, the province will conduct a second in-depth survey from November to December. Through research institutions, detailed questionnaires will be conducted on the daily habits of disease sufferers, the presence of genetic diseases, and other factors. The survey will analyze the incidence rates and differences in disease occurrence between consumers who have been exposed to radon beds for a long time and the general public.

If a correlation between radon bed use and disease occurrence is confirmed, the province plans to conduct additional epidemiological investigations to clarify the causal relationship.

The province explained the background of this survey by stating that although there were about 6,000 related damage consultation cases reported to the Gyeonggi Consumer Counseling Center in 2018, no measures were taken for these cases.

It is virtually impossible for individuals to prove damage caused by radon, yet neither the government nor the companies involved have taken steps to resolve the issue, according to the province's claim.

Accordingly, the province intends to conduct an accurate status survey at the public level, establish radon management improvement measures if necessary, and actively propose institutional improvements and victim relief measures to the National Assembly and central government.

Kim Ji-ye, head of the Fair Economy Division of the province, said, "More than two years have passed since the radon bed incident occurred, but the damage investigation and compensation procedures remain at a standstill," adding, "We decided to promote a consumer health status survey to accurately grasp the damage situation of the radon bed incident and prepare countermeasures."

The radon bed incident began in May 2018 when it was reported through the media that radon, a Group 1 carcinogen, was detected in mattresses sold on the market.

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission issued a recall order after two rounds of investigation, stating that the mattresses did not meet safety standards. In October of the same year, the Korea Consumer Agency's Consumer Dispute Mediation Committee decided on a collective dispute mediation filed by victims, ordering the exchange of mattresses and payment of 300,000 KRW in consolation money to consumers. However, the manufacturer did not accept this, and the mediation was not established.

Victims then filed a complaint against the brand, but the prosecution concluded in January 2020 that it was difficult to see direct health problems caused by using radon beds and dismissed the charges.

At that time, consumer and environmental groups stated that "a proper damage investigation must be conducted and dismissal without it is unacceptable." Currently, about 5,000 radon bed victims are pursuing civil lawsuits against the brand, the government, and insurance companies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.