In 2018, mattresses made by Daijin Bed Co. in South Korea were found to emit dangerous levels of radon because they contained monazite—a naturally radioactive mineral embedded in the layers as part of a now-discredited health trend. The discovery triggered massive recalls, lawsuits, and nationwide concern about indoor air quality. Now, years later, consumer safety advocates worry that the Korean mattress industry is slipping back into complacency.
Summary of Key Points
- South Korea’s mattress industry seems to be hitting the snooze button on radon safety, despite the lasting wake-up call of the 2018 Daijin Bed scandal.
- International safety certifications do not replace the need for domestic radon testing and approval, particularly in markets where consumer trust is based on local standards.
- The lack of mandatory radon safety regulations allows companies to avoid full transparency, highlighting the need for stronger government oversight and enforcement.
A Quiet Crisis in the Making?
According to the Korean Standards Association (KSA), only Simmons, the nation’s best-selling mattress brand, has tucked in radon safety certification for its entire product line. Australian brand Sealy has a near-perfect record with 92 of 94 products certified in South Korea; the holdouts are the Haynes and Crown Jewel models, which remain uncertified. The uncertified models drew raised eyebrows, since Sealy recalled more than 350 products for radon contamination back in 2019.
Sealy argues that its remaining uncertified lines already comply with strict eco-friendly standards overseas and points out that KSA’s radon certification is voluntary, not legally required. Industry experts say that’s not good enough, especially in a country haunted by the 2018 Daijin scandal.
“Even if Sealy holds international certifications, those don’t automatically apply in Korea,” says Professor Cho Seung-yeon, an environmental engineering expert at Yonsei University. “There’s a reason why countries maintain their standards. In Korea, where consumers remain particularly sensitive to the radon issue, trust is directly tied to obtaining domestic safety approval.”
Industry Gaps and Growing Consumer Concern
Despite lingering health concerns, other big-name mattress brands are still snoozing through the alarm. Brands like Tempur Korea, Sono Season, and Allerman Spinks have never obtained radon certifications, while Ace Bed hasn’t received their radon certification since 2021.
The lack of accountability is troubling. Out of approximately 280,000 radon-contaminated mattresses and related products sold during the Daijin scandal, less than half, around 130,000 units, have been recovered. That means thousands of homes may still be harbouring radioactive risks.
As Professor Cho points out, developed countries rely on regulatory guidance from organizations such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and European health agencies to establish comprehensive frameworks for radon safety. These are then implemented at national and local levels, ensuring consumer protection isn’t optional or left to marketing claims.
South Korea has made progress, but radon safety certifications still feel more like a deluxe add-on than a standard feature. Transparency and accountability should be the baseline, no extra pillow-top required.
Supreme Court Ruling
At the time this blog was produced, South Korea’s Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in the ongoing “radon mattress” case, affirming that consumers exposed to radon-emitting products are entitled to compensation, even if they haven’t developed physical illnesses. The court acknowledged that psychological harm caused by radon exposure, such as fear and anxiety, is a legitimate ground for legal redress. This decision sets a powerful precedent for future consumer protection cases involving hazardous materials.
Approximately 130 consumers sued the company, initially seeking around ₩10 million (roughly $9,900 CAD) each in compensation for emotional and physical damages. While lower courts had already granted partial relief, including product refunds and limited compensation, the Supreme Court’s decision solidifies the legal recognition of non-physical harm in environmental and consumer health cases. It represents a significant step forward in how courts view the psychological toll of long-term exposure to indoor pollutants such as radon.
Conclusion
The bed is supposed to be a place of rest and recovery where we spend nearly a third of our lives recharging. Yet, for thousands of South Korean households, that sense of safety has been compromised by the unknown risk of radon exposure.
Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, even among non-smokers. The importance of indoor air quality cannot be overstated. Canadians can stay ahead of the curve by using long-term (91-plus day) C-NRPP-certified radon test kits to make sure the only thing under the covers is a good night’s sleep.