Household products in South Korea under scrutiny for radioactive emissions
Recent health scare over ‘radioactive mattresses’ has been traced to a mineral that emits radon gas used in their inner layers
By Lee Suh-yoon
A recent public health scare in South Korea over “radioactive mattresses” found to emit radon nine times the safety standard is spreading to other household products.
Radon – a radioactive gas – is emitted by monazite sand, a natural mineral that releases “negative ions.” Manufacturer Daijin Bed applied it to the inner layer of the mattresses for alleged health benefits. Excessive radon exposure has been found to cause lung cancer.
Nuclear Safety and Security Commission data, acquired and released by Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Kwon Chil-seung, shows Daijin Bed’s monazite sand supplier distributed even more of the radioactive substance to three other local firms over the years.
One bought 12 tonnes of monazite sand between 2014 and 2018 – almost quadruple the amount Daijin Bed bought between 2013 and 2016 – to produce various “negative-ion” health products like bracelets and laundry washing balls.
Data shows the supplier sold over 40 tonnes of monazite sand over the past five years.