The Seoul government will stop receiving damage reports from possible victims of a toxic humidifier disinfectant from next year, officials said Thursday, stirring concerns that the deadline could leave out potential victims who may show health problems in the future.
The Environment Ministry said Thursday it would accept requests for a health probe by the end of next month from those who had used the humidifier disinfectant in question.
Since July 2013, the government has carried out two investigations into the causality between personal health problems and humidifier disinfectant use upon the users’ requests. In 2011, the health authorities discovered a “significant association” between lung damage and the humidifier disinfectant after four pregnant women consecutively died of a mysterious lung-related disease.
Most of the victims were found to have used Oxy Ssak Ssak, a liquid humidifier disinfectant produced by British company Reckitt Benckiser. The product, which sold in Korea starting 2002, occupied a market share of about 80 percent among 20 other similar brands. It was withdrawn from the local market in 2011 after the health concerns were raised.
Of 530 users who reported health problems to the government, 221 were confirmed to have suffered lung damage, the ministry said. If the health impact is confirmed, the state will cover all related medical and funeral costs.
The third health investigation is underway following a request from 111 humidifier disinfectant users, officials said.
Civic groups, however, raised concerns over the government’s decision to close the probe application period, claiming that there may be further potential victims.
“We started to hold a campaign to encourage potential victims to request the probe since last month and about 140 already reported their symptoms to the ministry. There has been a lack of awareness that the state is receiving the health damage reports,” Asian Citizen’s Center for Environment and Health director Lim Heung-kyu told The Korea Herald.
According to the government’s report in 2011, nearly 9 million Koreans were estimated to have been exposed to humidifier disinfectants from 1994.
“As it’s been more than a decade since the humidifier disinfectant tragedy took place, many still do not clearly know how it might have affected them or whether it will affect them somehow soon. The government should not stop accepting the reports,” Lim added.
“The government counts the damage cases only upon the reports from the victims, which is probably why there is a huge difference between the estimated number and the actual number of cases. The state needs to proactively find out the potential victims.”
Currently, one can apply for the investigation via mail or visit with a paper application that is downloadable from the website.
For now, the state does not have any plans to launch a probe into people who were exposed, the ministry said.
Meanwhile, eight confirmed victims are seeking compensation against the state and the product maker.
The government has reiterated that the humidifier disinfectant company is accountable for the health damage, not the state, and is responsible for any compensation beyond the government’s offer of health and funeral costs.
By Lee Hyun-jeong (rene@heraldcorp.com)
