Humidifier Disinfectants Still on Sale... SCAI Says "Ministry of Environment Neglected"

On the morning of January 14, humidifier disinfectant victims held a damage testimony press conference at the Environmental Health Citizens' Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] It has been uncovered that humidifier disinfectants, estimated to have caused health damage to approximately 670,000 users, were distributed on the market without approval from the Ministry of Environment. The Special Investigation Commission on Social Disasters (SICSD) pointed out that this was the result of neglect by the Ministry of Environment, which holds responsibility for management and supervision.

On the 22nd, the SICSD announced at Post Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul, that liquid-type humidifier disinfectants, which were the cause of the humidifier disinfectant disaster, were sold recently without approval from the National Institute of Environmental Research under the Ministry of Environment.

In fact, the SICSD revealed that on January 25th, six types of products (three liquid-type humidifier disinfectants, two solid-type humidifier disinfectants, and one humidifier aroma diffuser) that had not received approval from the director of the National Institute of Environmental Research under the Ministry of Environment were available for purchase through an online shopping site.

According to the Act on the Safety Management of Household Chemical Products and Biocides (Chemical Products Safety Act), manufacturing, selling, or importing humidifier disinfectants requires submitting data on ▲safety ▲toxicity ▲effectiveness and efficacy ▲absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion to the director of the National Institute of Environmental Research for approval. However, to date, no humidifier disinfectant has requested approval from the director. The humidifier disinfectants purchased by the SICSD were being sold illegally without confirmed safety.

The products sold on the market contain many chemical substances such as ethanol, silver ions, surfactants, and preservatives. The SICSD explained, "Not only can safety not be guaranteed when inhaled by humans, but even if natural plants are used, the concentration level or other mixtures can potentially cause harm."

The SICSD pointed out that the Ministry of Environment, the main body responsible for management and supervision, neglected investigations into humidifier disinfectants, allowing these issues to persist. The SICSD stated, "Although the Ministry of Environment announced that it investigated the safety status of household chemical products for about five months from July to November last year, it failed to detect humidifier disinfectant products and distribution/sales companies," adding, "The six products purchased by the SICSD were confirmed to have been sold during the safety investigation period."

Hwang Jeon-won, Chair of the SICSD Support Subcommittee, said, "It is very regrettable that the Ministry of Environment, which caused the humidifier disinfectant disaster, is neglecting humidifier disinfectants," and added, "As sales channels diversify through overseas direct purchase and online shopping, an inspection system corresponding to this must be established."

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