Humidifier Disinfectant Victims: Half Experience "Suicidal Thoughts"

8 out of 10 People Suffer from Lung Disease

On the 18th, victims are watching the announcement of the first survey results for all households affected by the humidifier disinfectant at Post Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul.

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] Eight out of ten victims exposed to humidifier disinfectants suffered from lung diseases, and about half of the adult victims even contemplated suicide.

The Special Investigation Commission on Social Disasters (SICSD) publicly disclosed the results of a survey conducted on the entire families affected by humidifier disinfectant damage for the first time on the morning of the 18th at Post Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul. According to the findings, victims reported various health damages across multiple body parts. In particular, lung diseases were widespread, affecting 83.0% of adults and 86.5% of children and adolescents. Nasal diseases (71% in adult surveys), skin diseases (56.6%), and ophthalmic diseases (47.1%) followed. These results were all lower than those from the analysis of medical usage data by the National Health Insurance Service, leading the SICSD to interpret that concerns about victims possibly exaggerating their symptoms are unfounded.

Mental health issues such as depression and suicide risk were also at levels that cannot be overlooked. After exposure to humidifier disinfectants, adult victims experienced mental health problems in the following order: depression and loss of motivation, anxiety, tension (72.0%), decreased concentration and memory (71.2%), insomnia (66.0%), anger (64.5%), guilt and self-blame (62.6%). Notably, 49.4% had suicidal thoughts, and 11.0% had attempted suicide, which is more than three times higher than the general population, indicating a high-risk situation.

The socioeconomic cost of humidifier disinfectant damage was estimated at an average of 380 million KRW per household. This figure is based on a survey of 198 households subjected to in-depth investigation. When extrapolated to all 4,953 households, the total cost reaches 1.8975 trillion KRW. Hwang Jeon-won, Chair of the SICSD Support Subcommittee, stated, "The key to resolving this disaster lies in the amendment of the Humidifier Disinfectant Damage Relief Act currently pending in the National Assembly's Judiciary Committee, and it must be passed during the 20th National Assembly."

The survey was conducted by the Korean Society for Epidemiology from June to December last year. Out of the total 4,953 households affected by humidifier disinfectant damage, 1,152 households and 873 victims out of 6,590 were surveyed online and by mail. An in-depth investigation was also conducted through home visits for 198 households.