Additional Cases of Humidifier Disinfectant Damage Including Bronchitis, Rhinitis, and Laryngitis

2946 Victims Supported Under the Humidifier Disinfectant Special Act

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Upper respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, rhinitis, and laryngitis, which have a high correlation with health damage caused by humidifier disinfectants, are recognized as eligible diseases for victims.

On the morning of the 10th, the Ministry of Environment held the "17th Humidifier Disinfectant Damage Relief Committee" at Samgyeong Education Center in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and announced that this decision was made.

This was based on research results on exposure to humidifier disinfectants and epidemiological and toxicological studies.

With this decision, the number of health damage diseases caused by humidifier disinfectants recognized under relief benefits and the special relief fund has expanded to 10, including bronchitis and upper respiratory disease groups.

These include lung diseases, asthma, fetal damage, toxic hepatitis, interstitial lung disease in children and adults, bronchiectasis, pneumonia, bronchitis, and upper respiratory disease groups.

Additionally, the committee recognized one more applicant for lung disease damage and ten more applicants for asthma damage.

With the additional recognition, the number of individuals recognized for relief benefits (government-operated) for health damage caused by humidifier disinfectants reached 930 (excluding duplicates).

Including 2,239 people supported through the special relief fund (operated by corporate contributions and government grants), the total number of victims receiving support under the "Special Act on Relief for Humidifier Disinfectant Damage" reached 2,946 (excluding duplicates).

For 34 individuals who had already been recognized for lung disease and asthma damage, the damage grade was reviewed and judged this time, enabling nine of them to receive nursing and living allowances.

An official from the Ministry of Environment stated, "We will do our best to ensure that the decisions of the Damage Relief Committee are implemented without any issues," and added, "We will continue research on the correlation between humidifier disinfectant exposure and health damage to expand support for victims."

For detailed information on the application procedures and required documents for humidifier disinfectant damage claims, contact the "Humidifier Disinfectant Damage Comprehensive Support Center" consultation office or check the "Humidifier Disinfectant Damage Support Comprehensive Portal."