Reckitt admits role after 5-year delay
Exec slapped during apology
Disinfectants linked to 100+ deaths
Millions exposed over years
Products banned in 2011
Compensation + probe underway
Major regulatory failure exposed
A senior executive from Reckitt Benckiser faced public anger during an emotional press conference in Seoul, as the company issued its first full apology for its role in a deadly humidifier disinfectant scandal that has haunted South Korea since 2011.
According to BBC Ata Safdar, head of Reckitt Benckiser Korea and Japan, bowed repeatedly before victims and their families, acknowledging the company’s responsibility for the harm caused by its humidifier sterilizer products. The audience included severely affected individuals, such as a 13-year-old boy who now depends on an oxygen tank to breathe.
As Safdar spoke, tensions escalated. A man stormed the stage, shouted expletives, and slapped him on the back of the neck. Another protester interrupted, yelling that the apology had come “too late.” Despite the disruption, Safdar continued, calling the situation “heartbreaking” and apologizing again.
The Seoul press conference marked the first time Reckitt Benckiser publicly accepted full responsibility for the damage caused by its humidifier sterilizer products, marketed under its former South Korean unit, Oxy Reckitt Benckiser.
“Today’s apology was about acceptance of responsibility for the harm that Oxy HS has caused,” Safdar said, as reported by The Guardian. He admitted the company’s response had been delayed, stating, “We were late. Five years have passed. We are apologizing far too late.”
The company had previously issued a written apology and acknowledged failures in communication with victims. It also established a 5 billion won humanitarian fund last month, in addition to another 5 billion won fund created in 2014.
South Korean authorities estimate that at least 92 people have died due to lung injuries linked to humidifier disinfectants, although not all cases involved Reckitt Benckiser products. Later figures suggest the death toll may be closer to 130 confirmed fatalities.
The scale of exposure is staggering. Between 1994 and 2011, more than 20 types of humidifier disinfectants were sold, and an estimated eight million people used these products. By 2016, around 530 individuals had officially registered claims of lung-related illnesses tied to the disinfectants.
Safdar noted that approximately 178 users of Reckitt Benckiser’s products were among those identified as affected.
Many victims were particularly vulnerable, including children and pregnant women.
The South Korean government banned the sale of humidifier sterilizer products in 2011 after identifying a link between the chemicals and severe lung conditions. Prosecutors have since launched criminal investigations into multiple manufacturers and distributors, including Reckitt Benckiser and other firms.
Notably, South Korea is believed to be the only country where these disinfectant products were sold.
Reckitt Benckiser rebranded its local unit in 2014, distancing itself from the earlier Oxy Reckitt Benckiser identity.
Reckitt Benckiser has pledged compensation for families of those who died, as well as for hundreds of injured victims. The company also announced plans to establish an independent compensation panel to address claims.
In addition to financial compensation, the humanitarian funds aim to support victims and their families, though critics argue these measures came far too late.
Experts and academic bodies have highlighted serious regulatory failures that allowed the tragedy to unfold.
Manufacturers reportedly marketed the disinfectants as safe despite lacking proper toxicity testing. Meanwhile, suppliers allegedly sold harmful chemicals while being aware of their toxicity.
A fragmented regulatory system further compounded the issue. Different government agencies oversaw chemicals and consumer products separately, making it difficult to assess risks when chemicals were repurposed for new uses such as being inhaled through humidifiers.
Because the disinfectants were classified as industrial products, they fell under voluntary certification standards with no strict safety requirements. This loophole meant that no minimum safety benchmarks were enforced before the products reached consumers.
The lack of coordination among agencies including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; the Ministry of Environment; and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety also delayed accountability and compensation.
The Korean Society of Environmental Health and Toxicology and the Korean Society of Environmental Health have played a key role in investigating the crisis since its emergence.
The organizations conducted independent research, hosted forums, and participated in government investigations. Despite these efforts, they note that many victims still have not received adequate compensation.
They have called for sweeping reforms, including:
Establishing strict toxicity testing standards for inhaled chemical products
Creating an integrated regulatory framework for chemicals and consumer products
Ensuring all victims receive compensation, regardless of scientific or administrative limitations
Providing long-term medical, psychological, and social support
Monitoring affected individuals and identifying unreported victims
Setting up a centralized Toxic Substance Control Center for post-market surveillance
Introducing legislation requiring mandatory registration and approval of biocide products
The societies also emphasized the need to align South Korea’s chemical safety standards with stricter international regulations, such as those in Europe.
(Rh/ARC)
