Date Type 12/02/2016 JAL Case No Country Mandate(s) OTH 3/2016 Other Business enterprises; Hazardous substances and wastes; Health; Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply Alleged violations of the rights of at least 530 individuals who suffered from adverse health impacts due to the exposure to hazardous chemicals found in humidifier sterilizers, including over 140 deaths. According to the information received, since 2011, several individuals have suffered from respiratory failure, acute pneumonia and other unknown lung diseases as a result of using humidifiers sterilizers manufactured and sold by several business entities, namely, Aekyung Co. Ltd., Costco Wholesale Korea, E-mart Co. Ltd., GS Retail Co. Ltd., Hanvit Chemical Co. Ltd., Home Plus Co. Ltd., Lotte Shopping Co. Ltd., Oxy Reckitt Benckiser, and SK Chemicals. It is alleged that two investigations carried out by the Government to identify victims were based on a classification scheme which resulted in identifying a limited number of victims and potentially excluding other victims eligible for financial support, health monitoring and any other elements of remedy. In addition to the current communication sent to Aekyung Co. Ltd., related communications were sent to the above-mentioned companies and the Governments of Republic of Korea on 12 February 2016. See below, case nos. OTH 2/2016, OTH 4/2016, OTH 5/2016, OTH 6/2016, OTH 7/2016, OTH 8/2016, OTH 9/2016, OTH 10/2016, and KOR 1/2016. A/HRC/32/53 65