Oxy Reckitt Benckiser, maker of one of disinfectants blamed for loss of 142 lives in South Korea, turns out to have tampered with the results of tests conducted by a university research team, probably with a view to hiding the presence of high levels of toxicity in its disinfectants.
The university research team blamed indoor mould as the main culprit for severe lung damage in its report submitted to Oxy in September 2012.
According to the report, indoor mould produced great amounts of bio-aerosols, consequently wreaking havoc on the lungs. Alarming levels of PHMG, the real killer, were detected but conveniently dismissed.
High levels of PHMG were detected in the first round of experiments but none were found in the second round. In other words, it is highly likely that Oxy fabricated test results after obtaining unfavorable test results in the first round.
Prosecutors estimated that the research team had constantly ventilated the test room with a humidifier on. In contrast, the government conducted an experiment that was similar to the situation at issue: sleeping with humidifier on. A professor on the team told KBS, “It is still under investigation, so I cannot any anything right now.”
According to a prosecution official, the research team carried out a considerable part of toxic exposure tests at an Oxy employee’s house.
