[THE INVESTOR]  The head of Britain-based Reckitt Benckiser formally apologized over its toxic humidifier sterilizers that claimed many lives here, a parliamentary special committee probing the scandal said on Sept. 22.
The so-called Oxy humidifier disinfectant case came to light after four pregnant women died of unknown lung problems in 2011. A government-led investigation confirmed a connection between more than a hundred people who died of lung problems and the chemicals used to clean household humidifiers.

South Korea has confirmed 221 victims in the case. Among them, 177 had used Oxy products. Out of 90 deaths, 70 are believed to have been caused by products made by the British firm.

The apology was made during a visit to Britain by South Korea’s parliamentary committee looking into the case on Sept. 21.

Reckitt Benckiser CEO Rakesh Kapoor said he wished to express a sincere apology for the pain and deaths of the South Korean consumers. The company earlier outlined a compensation plan to the victims and their family members.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)