Samsung to recall air filters containing toxic chemicals

[THE INVESTOR] Tech giant Samsung Electronics on July 22 said it will recall the filters of Samsung air purifiers and air conditioners that were found to contain chemicals that could cause respiratory diseases.

The move comes after the Ministry of Environment announced on July 20 the results of an investigation into filters alleged to have an excessive amount of chemical substances that can cause health risks.

LG Electronics has also recently announce plans to recall plan filters containing toxic chemicals.

The government investigation detected Octylisothiazolinone -- a toxic chemical substance -- in the filter produced by 3M of the US.

The filters were installed in air purifiers and air-conditioning products made by Samsung, LG Electronics, Cuckoo and Coway.

Hyundai Mobis and Doowon, automotive component suppliers, are also confirmed to have used the problematic filters in car air-conditioning systems.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)