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ǎ Social Issue
Global Issues

Do you know the accident that killed many people because of a humidifi er germicide? It
happened at the daily Supplies Company named ‘Oxy’. They put toxic materials that are only
permitted in hand sanitizer. People who wouldn't know what materials in humidifi er germicide,

inhaled toxic materials. It caused lung disease or death especially in infants and their mothers.
In fact, this accident already received coverage in 2011. At that time, pregnant woman’s
hospitalization for lung disease increased. So, many people wanted to investigate what is the
concomitant feature between patients. Later that year in August, the Ministry of Health and
Welfare and Korea centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced they think this is
because of toxic materials in humidifi er germicide. Because of this, the company had to pull

their products and refund purchases. This is not something that can be handled just any old
way, but the punishment was just
paying a fine. This accident didn’t
get solved well. Now, 4 years later,
it has become an issue because the

company still hasn’t fi xed their fault.
As it transpires, they still use toxic
materials in humidifier germicide.
So, pregnant woman, mothers die
and even a short time after birth
babies die too.

Why has that ever mattered?
It is bound up with humidifier
characteristic. Mostly its best feature
on the market is ultrasonic vibrating.

This way has the advantage that it
is very cheap but if impurities enter,
impurities mix with water and spread out. It makes people are taken ill. What was worse, an
expert said, “We can say this accident, one of the biggest disasters of chemical materials.” So,
we can know that it is very dangerous to people and it can make us sick.
In conclusion, be cause of the company’s irresponsible conduct, many innocent people are

dying. A small number of people who don’t have a conscience are at gross fault who don’t
have conscience, and so a great number of people suffer in their pocket. Also bereaved families
get permanent damage and suffering forever. But now, the small number of people never
properly compensated and apologized to the great number of people. It has to happen. Human
life cannot be superseded by money and cannot change its mean to anything. Governments as

well as companies have to have conscience.
No, Hyunjin (2-3)
pw1522@naver.com

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