False information rampant online over 'urea water' solution

A farmer makes urea water from urea fertilizer and purified water in a self-made video clip uploaded on Nov. 4. Captured from YouTube

By Lee Hae-rin

False information and scams are spreading online about making and selling diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), also known as “urea water,” amid a supply shortage of the critical additive required for cutting air pollution from diesel engines.

Law enforcement and environment authorities have warned of such activities, saying those making or selling unauthorized products could face heavy punishment including jail terms.

These cases are taking place as the country is suffering from an extreme shortage of DEF since the middle of last month, following China tightening exports of component material, as nearly 98 percent of Korea's urea water imports are from the neighboring country.

Several clips have been put online showing how to make urea water, including one by a farmer who blends agricultural urea fertilizer with purified water in a YouTube video uploaded Nov. 4.

“Although this is how I created a urea solution, I wouldn't use it for my own vehicle for quality reasons,” he said in the video, adding that he hopes his method could be combined with others' ideas and result in a solution that can actually be used in diesel-powered vehicles.

“Use of self-made DEF solution could lead to emissions of toxic substances such as carcinogens and fine particulate matter that have serious adverse effects on both the atmospheric environment and the driver's safety,” Kim Pil-soo, a professor of automotive engineering at Daelim University, told The Korea Times.

Under the Clean Air Conservation Act, supplying unauthorized DEF is subject to a five-year prison term or fine of up to 50 million won ($42,462), while those who use the chemical can face fines up to 2 million won.

As the shortage continues, similar misinformation and rumors are shared online. Some even claim that “purified water can replace DEF,” and that “urea water can be made out of human urine.”

“Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, for which urea water is used, are very sensitive pieces of equipment highly susceptible to damage and breakdown depending on the quality of the DEF. Changing urea water purity in SCR, by using urine, for example, could lead to problems such as a major functional defect in gas discharges,” Kim said.

A man fills up a bus with urea water at a gas station in Seoul Express Bus Terminal, Monday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Scams taking advantage of the desperate situations of drivers are also taking place.

The National Police Agency said, as of 8 a.m. Tuesday, it had received 44 reports of scams in which people uploaded posts offering urea water for sale on used goods trading service websites and then disappeared after taking the money.

Also there is information shared among large-vehicle drivers on how to remodel SCRs to enable vehicles to run without DEF. The remodeling involves attaching an additional component or manipulating the electronic control unit of the vehicle, which is illegal.

“I know this kind of SCR remodeling is illegal, but I have no other choice to make a living. Please let me know how to contact a person (who carries out remodeling),” an anonymous truck driver wrote on an online community of drivers, Monday.

Experts point out that the illegal remodeling could lead to a higher risk of defects and greater economic loss in the long run.

“This kind of illegal operation may enable diesel vehicles to run for a short while, but the possibility of a breakdown and repair costs will multiply. An SCR defect cost 6 million won ($ 5,094) to repair for normal vehicles, and 10 million won ($ 8,490) for large vehicles,” Lee Ho-guen, a professor of automotive engineering at Daeduk University, told The Korea Times.

“The government should not neglect the growth of a black market, and must take action to crack down on illegal operators, based on a thorough examination on the effects of SCR remodeling. We need to build an infrastructure and update software, considering the long-term costs and risks of illegal operations,” Lee said.