By Lee Kyung-min
The government has requested Procter & Gamble (P&G) Korea to disclose the ingredients of its odor eliminator spray, Febreze, following suspicions that it contains harmful substances that damage lung cells when inhaled.
The Ministry of Environment said Monday that it recently submitted a letter of request to the Korean unit of the multinational company, the seller of Febreze, demanding a list of chemicals in the product.
The ministry’s move comes amid heightened public fear and distrust against biocide products following more than 100 deaths and numerous health problems allegedly caused by humidifier disinfectants.
“We requested the information following public concerns that no information was available on the label of the product, nor does the company offer them online,” a ministry official said.
Some experts have pointed out that quaternary ammonium chloride, a sterilizing substance used in Febreze, can cause fatal damage to lung tissue if the user sprays Febreze and inhales it.
Regarding the row, P&G Korea said it submitted the related documents to the ministry, Monday. It said it is also considering making public all substances used in Febreze, adding that quaternary ammonium chloride is a safe chemical allowed in Korea and other advanced countries.
In the meantime, a report by the Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT) showed 329 biocide products on the Korean market, including wet tissues, laundry detergents, soaps, fabric softener and odor eliminators, contain harmful chemicals.
The KIT study of 1,432 products between 2012 and 2015 showed that 329 products, or 23 percent of the total, contained substances including PHMG, CMIT and MIT, which were used in the toxic humidifier disinfectants, or other chemicals such as BIT and IPBC. BIT is known to cause lung damage when inhaled and IPBC, respiratory problems, skin rashes, and other allergic reactions.
As more and more findings are coming about the possible harm of biocide products, public concern and fear about the products are growing as well. While many consumers avoid buying chemical-containing products, some opt for homemade sterilizers using baking soda, citric acid or vinegar, to avoid exposure to detrimental artificial substances.
“The current humidifier disinfectant scandal makes me inclined to choose safer, homemade products,” a mother with a one-year-old child said.
“I have to use a humidifier because my baby has bronchitis. I never use sterilizing products from the market, and always use baking soda to clean it,” she added.
Another mother with two children echoed her view.
“I am worried that bathroom floor detergent would have the same deadly impact on my family’s health. I think I might consider using baking soda,” she said.