No Safety Verification Conducted Since the Initial Release of Humidifier Disinfectants

SACHAMWI Announces Investigation Results Today
Inhalation Toxicity Test Standards Existed
Manufacturing Companies Did Not Conduct Inhalation Toxicity Tests

Last August, at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, the Environment and Health Citizens' Center and families affected by the humidifier disinfectant disaster held a press conference marking the 9th anniversary of the humidifier disinfectant tragedy. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] It has been revealed that although inhalation toxicity test standards existed domestically when humidifier disinfectants were first developed in the 1990s, products were released without undergoing safety verification.

The Special Investigation Commission on Social Disasters (Sacheomwi) announced the investigation results on the morning of the 18th at Post Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul, regarding the "Development and Launch of Domestic Humidifier Disinfectants and the Market Formation Process," stating, "After Yukoong first launched a humidifier disinfectant in 1994, leading domestic household goods companies consecutively released humidifier disinfectants without safety verification, confirming the process by which product supply expanded indiscriminately."

According to Sacheomwi, inhalation toxicity test standards were established domestically in the 1990s. In 1992, the National Institute of Environmental Research (currently the National Institute of Environmental Sciences) compared and reviewed OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) test guidelines and testing methods from various countries, presenting principles for acute inhalation toxicity tests and methods for preparing test reports.

The investigation results from Sacheomwi show that humidifier disinfectant manufacturers commissioned external laboratories to conduct inhalation exposure tests, sterilization efficacy tests, and harmful substance inspections to verify product safety. However, Yukoong, Oxy, and LG Household & Health Care launched their products before these test results were obtained. Although products inhaled by humans required inhalation toxicity tests for safety verification, no company conducted such tests, according to Sacheomwi's explanation.

The first domestic humidifier disinfectant, "Yukoong Humidifier Mate," was released in 1994 with advertisements claiming it was "harmless to humans." After the launch of Yukoong Humidifier Mate, a market for humidifier disinfectants using various biocidal ingredients was formed domestically, and to date, a total of 48 products have been sold.

Choi Ye-yong, Chairperson of the Sacheomwi Subcommittee on the Truth Investigation of the Humidifier Disinfectant Incident, stated, "Companies claim that 'there were no proper standards domestically at the time of product development, and they did their best given the scientific and technological level at that time,' but Sacheomwi's investigation revealed that inhalation toxicity test standards were already established domestically in the 1990s. Problems in the initial development process of humidifier disinfectants continued into the 2000s, resulting in an increase in victims. Related companies must prepare measures on how they will take responsibility for this."

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