Coway recalling purifiers found to dispense nickel compounds

Coway, the troubled water purifier rental company, will recall all purifiers found to dispense nickel compounds and give full refunds on their rental fees, the company said Wednesday.

The problematic products are three models of ice-making water purifiers: CHPI-380N, CHPCI-430N and CPSI-370N. The company said it will accept the models regardless of when the product was manufactured or used.

A total 110,000 units are subject to recall and the company will have to spend about 100 billion won for refunds. Following the recall plan, the three models will be obsolete.

“Should there be any health problems related to nickel compound found in the dispensed water through our water purifiers, we will take full responsibility,” a spokesperson from Coway said.

Coway’s ice-making water purifiers had been found faulty as metal plating on an evaporator in those models peeled off and ended up in water. Customers were angry after discovering the company knew about the problem a year ago, but did not make it public. The company replaced users’ faulty parts.